A bus driver who has been working for the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority for 28 years is currently on crisis suspension after a scuffle with a passenger.
RTA officials told newsnet5.com that the altercation happened Wednesday as the passenger was trying to get off the bus.
According to the RTA, the passenger boarded the bus at East 152nd Street and St. Clair Avenue and began taking schedules from their rack and putting them on the floor.
When the driver asked the man to pick up the schedules before he exited the bus at Public Square, an altercation ensued, according to the RTA.
But the Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless tells a different story.
According to the organization, the driver beat the passenger—a homeless man—with his fists and a metal object during the scuffle. He was sent to the hospital because of his injuries, organization officials say.
Following the altercation, the coalition is demanding that drivers receive sensitivity training.
"We're asking, is it time for RTA to think about forcing all their bus drivers get some sensitivity training?," said Executive Director Brian Davis. "Go through some de-escalation conflict resolution to learn how to control their anger and not resort to violence."
RTA officials said their police force contacted an advocacy agency for the homeless to assist the passenger after the altercation.
They say they are fully cooperating in the investigation.
