MTA Worker Stabbed in Neck at Nostrand Ave. Station; Colleagues Rally for Safety

MTA Worker Attacked Underground

• 🔪 A 64-year-old MTA maintainer was slashed in the neck while working on the tracks at the Nostrand Avenue subway station in Crown Heights.
• ⚠️ The incident occurred overnight when the worker encountered an unknown individual, leading to a verbal exchange that escalated into the attack.
• 🏥 The victim is in stable condition and receiving treatment at Kings County Hospital.

Transit Workers Union Outrage and Demands

• ✊ Members of the Transit Workers Union (TWU) expressed outrage and frustration over the attack on their colleague.
• 🗣️ They are calling for greater protections for workers and fair pay, emphasizing that the victim was performing a routine task of taking power off the tracks.
• ⚖️ Union representatives vowed to ensure that the suspect, who is still at large, faces the full extent of the law.

Broader Context: Fare Hikes and Safety Funding

• 📈 The attack occurs as the MTA board votes on a proposed fare hike, which would increase subway and bus fares by 10 cents, from $2.90 to $3.00, starting in January.
• 💰 A portion of the revenue from the fare increase is intended to beef up safety underground, a point highlighted by the recent violent incident.
• ❓ Some express confusion, questioning how this fare increase aligns with previous discussions about congestion pricing aimed at improving transit finances and safety.