Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
MTA Bus Driver Busted For Hitting Spitting Passenger
By
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 18, 2012
Modified Dec 18, 2012
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
Garth Johnston
Published Dec 18, 2012
Modified Dec 18, 2012
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
Can you blame him? An MTA bus driver was arrested this morning after he allegedly punched a passenger who had allegedly spat in his face. Twice! We never understand why people attack transit workers (a class D felony!), but at least the passenger didn't throw a brick?
The incident occurred near Kings Plaza around 7:45 a.m. when, according to police, a 23-year-old with a broken MetroCard tried to board 42-year-old Robert Volkens Q35 bus. The man asked to ride for free, Volkens told him no and, after some argument, another passenger reportedly paid the young man's fare.
But the passenger with the bad Metrocard still wasn't happy and apparently spat on the driver's face twice when exiting on Nostrand near Avenue H. So Volkens allegedly got off the bus and punched the punk, at which point he was promptly arrested for misdemeanor assault.
According to an MTA official Volkens now faces "appropriate action" at the "conclusion of a thorough investigation."
Tagged
arrest
assault
bus driver
bus drivers
MTA
nypd
spit
Garth Johnston
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 .