Transit supervisor beaten by passenger

A B.C. Transit supervisor says he was assaulted on the job two weeks ago when he was unable to help an irate transit rider in Richmond.

Robert Roche, a 30-year transit veteran who is less than 10 months away from retirement, said he was talking with the passenger when the man suddenly spat on him, shoved him down and kicked him.

"He moved in and started kicking me in the face. He kicked me several times. If it hadn't been for three passing motorists coming to my assistance, I don't think he would have stopped."

Roche says he still suffers from vision problems in his left eye.

Richmond RCMP have released a composite drawing of the suspect.

He is described as a clean-shaven Caucasian male in his thirties. He is five-foot-seven to five-foot-nine, and weighs about 190 to 200 pounds. He was wearing a black ball cap, black jacket and dark pants.

• FROM MAY 9, 2006: Second beating suspect turns himself in

A 57-year-old transit bus driver in Coquitlam was badly beaten in a fare dispute on the same day Roche was attacked. A 20-year-old man was charged, and he was granted bail on Wednesday.

The Canadian Auto Workers union, which reprsents the drivers, says there has been an escalation in violence against transit operators and wants the fare-collecting system changed. The CAW wants the Coast Mountain Bus Company to go to the honour system used by SkyTrain.