Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Video: Battered Bus Driver Describes Teen's Vicious Attack
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 23, 2011
Modified Jun 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 23, 2011
Modified Jun 23, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
On Tuesday, a Bronx teen flew off the handle and beat up a bus driver who wouldn't allow her to get on board with her dog. Driver Marlene Bien-Aime was hospitalized with a black eye, facial cuts, and chest injuries, while 17-year-old Steangeli Medina was charged with assault, menacing and harassment. Now, Bien-Aime is talking about the attack, and what can be done to protect bus drivers in the future: "She punched me in my eyes while I was sitting. She hit me several times in my eyes. She hit me all over my head and on my back." Watch the video below:
Medina boarded the Bx9 bus on Fordham Road in Belmont just before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, with her Chihuahua under her arm—Bien-Aime told her that the pet had to be in a kennel or crate to travel, which enraged Medina. "She said, 'I'm gonna hit you,'" Bien-Aime said. The driver responded, "It's not me, it's MTA."
Medina dragged Bien-Aime out of the car, pulling her hair and punching her repeatedly. It left her with a badly swollen black eye, a large bruise on her upper left arm, a broken nose, and head and neck pain. Officials from the MTA told NY1 that 29 drivers have been assaulted so far this year—which does not include spitting as an assault. Union members say they have been pushing for a protective shield that would be installed between drivers and their passengers, but "The MTA is still dragging its feet on the implementation of protective shields for New York City bus operators," according Transport Workers Union President John Samuelsen.
Tagged
attack
bronx
bus
bx9
Chihuahua
dog
marlene bien-aime
MTA
steangeli medina
teen
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
2 pedestrians killed in Bronx crash after driver ran red light, police say
The NYPD said the investigation is continuing and no one had been arrested Saturday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
and
Ann Givens
Published Oct 10, 2026 at 1:24 p.m. ET
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Rain could put a damper on NYC’s long weekend. Here’s when it will clear.
Remnants of Hurricane Isaias could bring more than an inch of rain, gusty winds and even a thunderstorm Sunday before conditions improve Monday.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
Holy civics! NYC schools' own comic books in the spotlight at Comic Con
By
Jessica Gould
What we know about the ICE shooting in NYC
By
Karen Yi
DSA to Mamdani: Fire NYPD commissioner if ICE doesn't leave NYC
By
Elizabeth Kim
,
Brigid Bergin
and
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .