Rather than pay the $2.75 fare like everyone else, a commuter in Elmhurst decided to argue with the bus driver and punch him in the face, police said.
The NYPD released on May 8 video of the man behind the cheap shot that occurred on May 2 near the Queens Center Mall at the corner of 59th Avenue and 92nd Street.
According to law enforcement sources, the perpetrator boarded a Q88 bus at 5:50 p.m. that day and then got into an argument with the driver over paying the fare.
The argument then turned physical, cops said, when the suspect punched the driver in the face. The assailant exited the bus and fled on foot westbound toward 94th Street.
Officers from the 110th Precinct responded to the incident. EMS units treated the driver at the scene for swelling to his face.
Cops described the angry passenger as a male standing 6 feet tall with a goatee who was last seen wearing a red hooded sweatshirt and black pants while carrying a black backpack.
Anyone with information regarding his whereabouts can call Crime Stoppers at 800-577-TIPS (for Spanish, dial 888-57-PISTA), visit the Crime Stoppers website, send a direct message on Twitter @NYPDTips or text 274637 (CRIMES), then enter TIP577. All calls and messages are kept confidential.
Through regular public service announcements, the MTA reminds riders that assaulting a bus driver is a felony.
