Police seek man who punched SEPTA bus driver in the face in East Lansdowne

EAST LANSDOWNE, Pennsylvania (WPVI) -- Police are looking for a man who punched a SEPTA bus driver in the face on New Year's Eve.

It happened at 10:34 p.m. on December 31, 2019, on Route 113 at Pembroke and Oak avenues in East Lansdowne, Pa.

Police say the man refused to pay the fare, argued with the bus operator, then punched her.

The man was last seen fleeing on Oak Avenue.

Police hope the release of the video, and a $1,000 reward, will help them find the attacker.

"Instead of celebrating, one of our operators was getting punched in the face," said SEPTA Transit Police Chief Thomas J. Nestel. "It's outrageous. Absolutely outrageous. "

"A woman just doing her job, driving a bus with passengers, when a person interferes with our operators to the point where it jeopardizes the safety of that operator and the other people," he continued. "We take that personal."

Police say the bus operator had her glasses broken and had a few cuts to the face.

"I've seen people argue with the bus driver never assault them," said SEPTA bus rider Corey Hammons.

He was left stunned by the video. Hammons said he can't comprehend the level of violence towards a person simply doing their job.

"The bus drivers around here, listen, I wouldn't be able to get to work, wouldn't be able to do anything if it wasn't for them. I think they should be treated respectfully," he said.

If caught, the man faces assault and reckless endangerment related charges.

"This kind of behavior will not be tolerated," Nestel said.

SEPTA officials say by the numbers, attacks on bus operators have seen an increase from over the last three years.

In 2019 there were 46 reported attacks, 13 in 2018, and 29 in 2017.

However, few cases involved operators actually being punched.

Anyone with info on this case is asked to call SEPTA police.