Passengers attack Metro bus driver over fare

We're starting to reconsider our plan to apply for a job as a Metro bus driver: On Tuesday, two men attacked a bus driver after arguing with her over the fare, marking the second assault on a Metro driver this week.

According to the Chronicle, the men — who appeared inebriated — got into a dispute over fares with the driver and made a threat against her, then walked back into the bus. About 10 minutes later, they returned to the front of the bus and punched the driver, Metro spokeswoman Raequel Roberts said. The driver was taken to Memorial Southwest hospital to be treated for a cut on her nose; as for the suspects, Roberts said some passengers on the bus took pictures of them with their cell phones and Metro police are now trying to track them down.

In the earlier attack, which happened Sunday, a man rode a Metro bus through its entire route and didn't get off at the end of the line. When the driver of that bus asked why the man was still on board, he reportedly raped her at gunpoint, then fled the bus with her purse. Oddly enough, both Sunday's and Tuesday's attacks took place on the same route in southwest Houston; Roberts said Metro has increased security patrols in the area. "We've been out there with officers in force," she said.

According to Metro statistics, 28 violent crimes have occurred on the agency's buses so far this year.