MTA will pursue ban from network following subway worker assault
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) intends to seek a three-year ban, the highest allowed under the law, against an Alexander Wright who has been charged with felony assault in the second degree, assault in the third degree and harassment in the second degree following an Aug. 11 attack of New York City Transit Cleaner Anthony Nelson.
Nelson, who reportedly exited Pelham Bay subway station with a colleague following customer reports of harassment outside the station, was attacked and suffered a broken collarbone and nose. Nelson and his colleague were able to detain the man who attacked him until authorities arrived. Nelson spent days in the hospital and underwent surgery to treat his injuries.
In addition to the current charges, Wright has a record of at least 13 prior arrests – including some on the transit system, as well as three in a single day for two assaults and criminal mischief resulting in property damage.
If Wright is convicted of the current charges, MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber stated his intention to request a judge order Wright banned from the transit system for three years, which is the maximum penalty.
“Attacks on transit workers are unacceptable and we must do everything we can to prevent them and keep our customers and employees safe,” said Lieber. “Given the horrific actions of Mr. Wright and his long history of arrests -- some of which were for similarly violent attacks -- this penalty is warranted. Individuals who assault transit workers have no place on our subways, buses and trains.”
NYC Transit President Richard Davey, who visited Nelson in the hospital following the assault, explained no one’s job description should include looking over their shoulder in fear.
“While we will continue to work with our law enforcement and legal partners, we cannot stand idly by as these assaults continue. The message behind the ban we are seeking is simple: if you prove to be a danger to New Yorkers, you should not be allowed back into the transit system, period,” said Davey.
In June, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a law that expanded protection of transit workers against assaults. The bill expanded protections to station customer assistants, ticket or revenue collectors, maintenance workers and supervisors employed by transit agencies or authorities who work with and among the public and allows for charges of second-degree assault to be levied against those who physically injure transit workers.
President of TWU Local 100 Tony Utano said, “We are tired of seeing our members get assaulted daily for no good reason. Prosecutors and judges must hold people accountable for their actions and ensure that transit workers can do their job safely.”
Mischa Wanek-Libman | Group Editorial Director
Mischa Wanek-Libman is director of communications with Transdev North America. She has more than 20 years of experience working in the transportation industry covering construction projects, engineering challenges, transit and rail operations and best practices.
Wanek-Libman has held top editorial positions at freight rail and public transportation business-to-business publications including as editor-in-chief and editorial director of Mass Transit from 2018-2024. She has been recognized for editorial excellence through her individual work, as well as for collaborative content.
She is an active member of the American Public Transportation Association's Marketing and Communications Committee and served 14 years as a Board Observer on the National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC) Board of Directors.
She is a graduate of Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Mass Communication.
