A routine afternoon run on the BX38 turned violent on Feb. 2 when a 49-year-old MTA bus driver was attacked in the Baychester section of the Bronx, according to police. The assault happened around 3:40 p.m. in front of 1945 Bartow Avenue, where a group approached the bus, displayed a knife, and punched the driver several times, authorities say. The suspects ran off on foot, and no arrests have been announced. The NYPD renewed its public call for help on March 12, 2026.
In a post from NYPD Crime Stoppers, investigators say the group walked up to the driver while aboard the BX38, flashed a knife, and "punched the victim multiple times about the body." The appeal urges anyone with information to call 1-800-577-TIPS (8477) or, for Spanish speakers, 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). It also points people to submit tips online and notes a reward of up to $3,500 for information that leads to an arrest and indictment.
Where the attack took place
The BX38 runs along Bartow Avenue through Co-op City and Bay Plaza, putting the block near 1945 Bartow Ave in the middle of a busy commercial and commuter strip. The route links Bay Plaza and Norwood and makes several stops along Bartow Avenue, where riders and shoppers are constantly getting on and off. The site BusMaps provides a stop-by-stop look at the BX38.
Transit incidents and recent trends
Violence on city buses and subways has been back in the spotlight in recent months. Hoodline previously reported a December assault on a BX38 that left a teenager seriously injured, rattling riders who rely on the line every day. That earlier coverage also noted that the NYPD reported an increase in transit crime in February 2026, driven largely by felony assaults and nonviolent grand larcenies, which in turn prompted additional patrols across the transit system. Bronx assault on BX38 bus
How to report tips
Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the Feb. 2 confrontation or who may have video of it to contact Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), using the Spanish-language line at 1-888-57-PISTA (74782), or submitting information online at Crime Stoppers. The NYPD says tips can be kept anonymous and may qualify the tipster for a cash reward if the information leads to an arrest and indictment. Police are urging anyone who knows something about the group involved to come forward so detectives can track down the suspects.
