NEWARK, N.J. — Fourteen NJ Transit rail employees have filed suit against the transit agency, saying it failed to protect them from assaults and other abuse from passengers.
The non-profit news site New Jersey Monitor reports the suit filed in U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey contends the agency was aware of increasing abuse against its employees because it supported legislation to toughen penalties against abusive passengers, according Robert Myers, the attorney who filed the suit.
The suit claims NJ Transit required crew member to assume the role of first responders or law enforcement officers in dealing with passengers, and is negligent for reasons including failure to provide proper training for that role; sufficient police or other security personal; self-defense weapons, such as mace or pepper spray; and secure locations where employees could separate themselves from dangerous passengers.
The 36-page complaint filed July 6 outlines incidents involving each of the employees, many of which involved efforts to enforce the federal mask requirement on public transit or deal with people traveling without a ticket. Among them are incidents in which employees were kicked and punched; threatened with a knife; punched after being threatened with a gun; were spit on, or were tackled from behind. Many of the workers say they have suffered permanent physical disabilities as a result of the attacks.
Each of the workers is requesting a judgment of more than $150,000.
The suit also details what it says is a history of passenger abuse dating to the 1990s. Myers told the Monitor the reason for the suit “is to try and get a change in the safety culture to protect not just crews but passengers as well.”
Obviously I can’t comment on specific incidents. I can and I will comment on the mask requirement. My comment is this: The mask requirement was – or if the corrupt slug Biden wins the appeal, will be – a horror inflicted on America’s traveling public. For no reason.
I put up with masks on flights and in airports, distances too far too drive. (And I was among the many cheaters at an airport well known for cheaters.) Shorter distances, where I could drive, I rode no trains or buses while the mask mandate was in effect. I did not enjoy driving to Illinois rather than take the train as before (and since), but it sure was better than wearing a mask on my face.
There’s no call for violence against a train crew or airline cabin crew. That’s wrong and was to be punished by the full extent of the law, including lifetime bans. I can’t understand the violence, but I do understand the anger. As I was one of those who was angry.