BusTalk

[TTCBusbabe]

‘It’s getting worse out there’

TTC driver afraid to return to work after attack, injury
When he started driving a bus 10 years ago, Lee’s biggest worry was other cars on the road.

Today, his main concern is passengers and pedestrians.

Lee, 37, who did not give his last name, has been spit on three times in the past year, has been verbally abused almost daily — and last week he was taken to hospital in the middle of his shift to have shards of glass removed from his eyes after someone hurled a pumpkin at his windshield.

"It’s getting worse out there," Lee said yesterday. "I believe this is my worst year yet."

Recovering from his ordeal at home, the 10-year TTC veteran said in the last little while he’s become terrified of doing his job.

Lee, who couldn’t open his eyes after the bus was struck by a pumpkin on Halloween night, and a passenger were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Police are still searching for suspects.

TTC chair Adam Giambrone said operator abuse is an issue of "increasing importance" to the TTC, as assaults seem to occur about every other day.

[TTCBusbabe]

Pumpkin thrown at TTC bus, 15-year-old arrested

Nov 28, 2007 05:23 PM
Josh Wingrove
Staff Reporter

A 15-year-old boy was arrested today following an investigation into an incident on Halloween in which a pumpkin was thrown through the window of a TTC bus, injuring the driver and a passenger.

The pumpkin hit the front window of the bus on Mimico Ave. on Oct. 31. The driver and passenger were treated for minor injuries in hospital.

After a series of tips, Toronto police made an arrest today.

A 15-year-old boy, whose name can't be released, faces four charges, including two counts of assault with a weapon - the pumpkin.

He's to appear in court tomorrow.