NYC Bus Driver's Emergency Radio Failure Highlights System Unreliability

Driver's Emergency Experience

• 😨 BB Bono, a bus driver, recounts a terrifying incident in October where a verbally aggressive passenger spat on her after she took the bus out of service.
• 🆘 During the emergency, Bono was unable to reach the command center using the bus radio and had to rely on her personal cell phone.
• ⚠️ She expressed fear for her safety, questioning what she would have done if she hadn't had her cell phone, as the radio was her only other option.

Union Concerns and Demands

• 📢 Union leaders are speaking out, describing the MTA's bus radio system as unreliable and a risk to operators and riders.
• 🛠️ They are demanding that all radios be fixed and, in the meantime, are asking for cell phones to be installed on buses, despite union members being penalized for using personal phones.
• ⏳ The problem has reportedly lingered for over a year, putting both drivers and passengers at risk.

MTA's Response to Radio Issues

• 🧐 The MTA disputes the union's claim that the bus radio system is not working.
• 🗣️ MTA leadership suggests the dispute is with the union's preferred method of supervision, contrasting their approach with the MTA's use of modern technology and consoles.
• ❓ When questioned about the driver's assault and the timeline for fixing the radios, the MTA representative did not provide a direct answer regarding the driver's experience.