MIDTOWN, Manhattan — Police launched an investigation after an MTA employee was assaulted at the Times Square subway station Wednesday morning, according to the transit agency.
The employee was on the southbound platform of the No. 2 train when she was punched in the face around 7:40 a.m., according to Transport Workers Union Local 100.
The victim did not require hospitalization, according to MTA Communications Director Tim Minton, who confirmed the attack.
Subway-Surface Supervisors Association President Michael Carrube identified the worker as Andrea Vasquez, a 13-year veteran and transit supervisor.
Carrube called the attack “heinous” and demanded action on proposed legislation that would give a higher level of protection to transit supervisors.
“Earlier this morning, while performing her duties as a Transit Supervisor at the 42nd Street Times Square Platform, 13-year veteran Andrea Vasquez was punched in the face in an unprovoked attack committed by an emotionally disturbed individual,” Carrube said in the statement. “This heinous attack is just one of countless assaults that have been committed against transit workers over the past several years and reaffirms precisely why transit supervisors should be covered under proposed legislation that would impose felony charges against anyone who assaults one of our members. How can the riding public expect to be safe if the essential workers who keep the city moving every day aren’t safe? Enough is enough!”
Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking at an unrelated news briefing, called the attack unacceptable.
“We’ll have a strong presence in the subways. The more people come back to subways, the safer it’ll get,” the mayor added.
No arrests had been made as of the publishing of this story.
Less than two hours later, a man on the same platform was spit on and slashed across the face by an unknown assailant, police said.
The transit worker assault is among the latest in a string of violent crimes plaguing the subway system.
Just a week ago, a 62-year-old off-duty subway conductor was slashed across the face on a train in Brooklyn, leaving him in critical condition and nearly blinded.
Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782).
Editor’s note: Officials later clarified the gender of the victim.
