MTA Workers Attruck in Separate Subway Incidents—What’s Going On?

Let me tell you something—working for the MTA isn’t easy. And this week, things got even uglier. Two transit workers got attacked in totally unprovoked incidents down in the subway. It’s messed up, honestly. These are the folks who keep NYC running, and now they’re looking over their shoulders just trying to do their jobs.

First Attack: F Train Cleaner Gets Jumped

What Went Down

So picture this—it’s 6 a.m. on a Sunday at Jamaica-179th Street station. Some guy who’d been sleeping on the F train suddenly wakes up and just… goes after the cleaner. No warning, no argument. The worker was just doing his job, wiping down seats and picking up trash when bam—he’s getting punched out of nowhere.

Aftermath

Thankfully, EMS got there fast. The worker had some bruises but nothing too serious. Cops grabbed the attacker—who’s now looking at assault charges. The MTA? They’re pissed. Their statement basically said what we’re all thinking: “This crap can’t keep happening to our people.”

This Isn’t New—Violence Against Transit Workers Is Skyrocketing

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Here’s the scary part—attacks on MTA staff jumped 30% last year. Most are just people running their mouths, but actual physical attacks? Those are up too. And let’s be real—once is too many.

How Workers Are Feeling

Talk to any subway employee and they’ll tell you—there’s this constant low-key stress now. One worker told me (off the record, of course): “Every shift starts with that thought—is today gonna be the day?” And riders are noticing too. Who wants to take the train when even the staff aren’t safe?

What Officials Are Saying (And Not Saying)

MTA Boss Sounds Off

MTA Chairman Janno Lieber didn’t mince words—he called the attacks “straight-up cowardly.” But here’s the thing—anger doesn’t fix anything. Workers need actual protection, not just tough talk.

Union’s Been Screaming About This For Years

TWU Local 100’s president Richard Davis put it bluntly: “We’re past the point of warnings.” They want more cops in stations, better mental health resources—hell, anything that might actually make a difference.

Laws Exist—But Do They Work?

On Paper vs. Reality

Technically, hitting an MTA worker is already a felony with up to 7 years. But here’s the kicker—most attackers get slaps on the wrist. The law’s toothless if nobody enforces it.

What Might Actually Help

There’s some new bill floating around—stiffer sentences, more cameras, de-escalation training. Sounds good, but we’ve heard that before. Will it actually happen? Your guess is as good as mine.

What You Can Do

Look, I’m not saying become a vigilante. But if you see something shady on the train? Report it. And maybe throw a “thanks” to the station agent next time—little things matter when people are feeling like targets.

Bottom Line

These attacks aren’t just about two workers—they’re about what kind of city we want to live in. As advocate Maria Lopez put it: “No safe workers means no safe subway. Period.” And let’s be honest—New York without its subway? That’s not New York at all.