A subway conductor was slashed in the neck. Transit workers want better protections on rails

NEW YORK (AP) — Police are looking for a person who slashed a subway conductor within the neck because the union representing transit employees is looking for higher protections on the rails.

The Transportation Staff Union Native 100 mentioned the assault occurred round 3:40 a.m. Thursday as a southbound A prepare was pulling right into a station in Brooklyn’s Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood.

Conductor Alton Scott was slashed within the neck as he put his head out a window to ensure the monitor was clear, the union mentioned.

The 59-year-old transit employee was taken to Brookdale College Hospital the place he acquired 34 stitches to shut the deep gash and is now recovering at residence, in accordance with the union.

Police mentioned Thursday no arrests have been made.

Richard Davis, the union’s president, mentioned in an announcement that the assault highlights the hazards confronted each day by transit employees. He additionally urged members to remain vigilant because the suspect stays at giant.

“We’re dealing with heinous crimes and brutal assaults. Sufficient is sufficient,” Davis mentioned.

Alina Ramirez, a union spokesperson, harassed that the union didn’t authorize any official work stoppage or slowdown, regardless of claims posted on social media.

She mentioned members engaged on the subway line the place the assault occurred reported for work as standard Thursday however remained “on standby” within the hours after the assault till they acquired security assurances from transit administration, as is typical following such incidents.

Ramirez mentioned employees have since resumed regular operations on the subway line.

Spokespersons for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority didn’t reply to messages searching for remark Thursday, however the company reported extreme delays on the A line throughout the morning rush hour commute.

“We’re working as a lot service as we are able to with the prepare crews we’ve obtainable,” the company posted on X, previously often called Twitter, because it inspired riders to hunt journey alternate options.

The MTA has additionally been experimenting with putting in bodily obstacles reminiscent of orange rubber poles at some subway stops to discourage assaults on subway conductors.

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