New York MTA Bus Driver Arrested for Allegedly Assaulting Trans Co

Dec 17, 2023

A transgender MTA bus driver said she was the victim of a verbal and physical hate crime that took place inside a woman's locker room bathroom at a Bronx bus depot.

Police arrested longtime bus driver Sonia Rivera on multiple charges including assault, harassment, and harassment as a hate crime for the alleged attack on Nana Mangual, which occurred in April at the Eastchester Bus Depot.

Mangual, who has been an MTA employee since last year, told local tv station WPIX she had just finished her shower when Rivera launched a verbal assault that quickly turned physical.

"What the f*** is this? Turn that music off. This isn't a disco, who the f*** do you think you are?’" Mangual recalled Rivera yelling at her while using the toilet, later adding "When she realized I was recording, she turned around and physically, now physically attacked me."

Video of the incident provided to WPIX appears to show a woman identified as Rivera hurling insults from within a closed bathroom stall. Later the same woman is captured looking in a bathroom mirror as she adjusts her uniform before turning and slapping at the camera.

MTA issued a statement saying the incident is under investigation and they cannot comment further at this time.

"The MTA does not tolerate violence or discrimination of any kind in the workplace and takes allegations of this nature very seriously. Given this matter is currently under investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time."

Mangual described the entire incident as "traumatic," leaving her suffering from PTSD. However, she said the MTA has yet to approve her worker's compensation or medical leave claims.

She also claimed the MTA is not always an affirming and supportive place for transgender employees. She described her employment experience to date as "nerve-racking" because she saw no other transgender drivers and was misgendered by other employees.

"I was being discriminated on," Mangual said.

In addition to approving her claims, Mangual said she would like the MTA to make it a more welcoming work environment for transgender employees with gender-neutral bathrooms and LGBTQ+ training for all employees.