CTA Investigates Allegations that Bus Driver Ignored Rider after an Attack

By Anthonia Akitunde in News on Oct 10, 2009 5:15PM

CTA officials are investigating whether an unidentified bus driver followed procedure or ignored a person in distress after a passenger was attacked with a chemical two week ago, the Tribune reports.

"CTA personnel are instructed to ask the individual to stop the offending behavior," the CTA said in a statement. "If the individual does not stop their behavior or if there is a physical threat to another customer, personnel should immediately contact CTA's Control Center to summon assistance and for instructions on how to proceed."

However, according to Felicita Torres, her bus driver took no such action when a fellow rider waved "some sort of chemical in her face" on Sept. 28.

Torres was riding the 62 Archer bus when a street vendor offered her a CD case wrapped in a paper towel, the report said. Shortly after touching the case the vendor waved in her face, Torres said she felt "lightheaded and woozy." She made her way to the front of the bus to report the incident and ask for help. Yet after explaining what happened, Torres said the driver responded with a curt, "That's between you and him. I have nothing to do with it" and would not call the police.

The offender fled the bus. Torres got off a few blocks later and alerted police, but so far no arrests have been made. When Torres saw the same bus driver the following day and asked about the encounter, he gave the same curt response, she said.

Torres said a doctor at a local hospital believed she most "likely had come into contact with the chemical compound ether, but suffered no lasting effects," according to the report.

"It wasn't clear whether the unidentified driver was still on his route or whether bus cameras may have captured the incident," the report said.

[Tribune]