Bronx bus driver assaulted by passenger, sent to hospital: Officials

An MTA bus driver in the Bronx was hospitalized Thursday after a fare-beating passenger choked and punched him over the $2.25 cost to ride, officials said.

According to the MTA, the alleged attack occured on the Bx41 at 161st Street and Melrose Avenue after the passenger entered through the back door and refused to pay. The driver asked for the fare, and the passenger then grabbed the driver and slammed his head into the glass window, the MTA said.

He was reportedly taken to St. Barnabas Hospital, where he was set to get a CAT scan. Neither the driver or the attacker were identified by officials as of presstime.

As of the end of August, 61 bus drivers had been assaulted in 2012, up from 59 for the same period in 2011, according to the MTA.

To combat fare beating, the agencyis installing shields that will protect drivers from passengers. About 650 of the barriers have been installed, with more on the way.