TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – A violent assault at a Sun Tran bus stop on Sunday has left many Tucsonans with safety concerns about riding public transit.
The attack marked the 11th violent incident connected to Sun Tran that 13 News has reported on since April.
Tucson Mayor Regina Romero said the city is working on a transit safety plan to increase security at bus stops, though some community members and Sun Tran employees worry that the plan may not be enough.
- On April 5, 25-year-old Daniel Michael Jr. allegedly attacked a man and woman with a hatchet at a Sun Link streetcar stop in downtown Tucson. Jacob Couch died from his injuries from the attack, and Michael was charged with murder.
- On May 12, 42-year-old Frank Rick Lopez allegedly attacked two people with a hatchet at a Sun Tran bus stop near Sabino Canyon and Tanque Verde Roads.
- On July 9, a 15-year-old woman was arrested after a 19-year-old woman was injured during a knife fight on a bus at the Ronstadt Center in Tucson.
- On July 25, a woman was arrested for allegedly stabbing a man on a bus at the Laos Transit Center in Tucson.
- On Aug. 11, a man was injured in a stabbing at the Ronstadt Center in downtown Tucson.
- On Aug. 12, a man was injured in a fight and stabbing at the Loas Transit Center in Tucson.
- On Aug. 20, a man was injured in a fight and stabbing at the Tohono Tadai Transit Center near the Tucson Mall.
- On Sept. 9, a Sun Tran driver was injured in an assault at Udall Park in Tucson.
- On Oct. 6, an elderly man was injured in an attack at a Sun Tran bus stop near Pantano and Stella.
- On Oct. 14, a man was arrested after allegedly shooting at people while on a Sun Tran bus near Irvington and 13th Avenue.
- On Nov. 30, a man was arrested after allegedly attacking another man at the Loas Transit Center in Tucson.
“We have gone to city council meetings, our operation members have been going to city con ouncil meetings as well, but I don’t believe at this time we have any resolutions or answers to what has been happening,” said Mike Sanchez, a representative for Teamsters Local Union 104, who represents Sun Tran operators…