Video shows the moment a trans-female MTA bus driver claims she was assaulted in the women’s locker room
Moment MTA employee knocks phone out of trans bus driver’s hand for recording her in the women’s locker room after telling her to use the men’s room
- A hate crime charge has been filed against an MTA bus company after a driver who is transgender reported sexual assault in women’s locker room
- Nana Mangual, the transgender executive, speaks out about her experience in hopes the MTA will take steps to ensure equality for LGBTQ workers
- Mangual says fellow bus operator Sonia Rivera yelled at her to use the men’s locker room instead before appearing to knock the phone out of her hand
A video captured the moment when a New York City MTA employee knocked the phone out of a transbus driver’s hand for recording her in the women’s locker room after telling her to use the men’s locker room instead.
Nana Mangual, who identifies as female but was born biologically male, filmed the alleged attack while addressing fellow driver, Sonia Rivera, who had yelled at her through a toilet cubicle door while on shift at a Bronx bus depot .
Mangual claims Rivera scolded her for listening to music in the shower before telling her she was in the wrong locker room. Mangual then filmed Rivera – who appeared to be adjusting her pants in the mirror before realizing she was on camera – knocking the phone out of Mangual’s hand.
Mangual says she has been unable to return to work since the alleged assault and claims she suffers from PTSD following the altercation. She also accuses the MTA of trying to fire her from her position and refusing to approve workers’ compensation leave.
A hate crime charge has since been filed against Rivera. She was arrested shortly after the incident that took place at the Eastchester Bus Depot in April.
A hate crime charge has been filed against an MTA bus operator after driver, Nana Mangual, pictured, who is transgender, was assaulted in the women’s locker room
The alleged attack happened after Mangual finished showering when fellow bus operator Sonia Rivera, pictured here, launched a verbal attack that escalated and turned physical
Rivera, pictured, was a long-time bus driver and reportedly got physical with Mangual when she saw her being filmed
“I couldn’t get this traumatic incident out of my head. I was in disbelief and shocked,” Mangual said PIX11.
“I was listening to my gospel music and from the toilet she was screaming ‘What the f*** is this? Turn that music off. This isn’t a disco, who do you think you are?’ She told me to use the men’s room. When she realized I was recording, she turned and physically attacked me.”
Following Rivera’s arrest, multiple charges were filed against the longtime MTA associate, including harassment, harassment as a hate crime, and assault.
The MTA issued a statement following the incident.
“The MTA does not tolerate any form of violence or discrimination in the workplace and takes allegations of this kind very seriously. As this matter is currently under investigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.”
The alleged incident took place at the Eastchester Depot in The Bronx, New York
Nana Mangual, the transgender bus driver, speaks about her experience, hoping the MTA takes steps to ensure equality for LGBTQ workers
Mangual says she joined the MTA to work as a bus driver because she enjoys driving and being around people. But she notes that her time at the agency hasn’t been an easy ride.
“It was nerve wracking because I don’t see any transgender drivers. I was discriminated against because I was given the wrong gender because I was called ‘he’ when my pronouns are ‘she/her’,’ explains Mangual.
Mangual is now pushing for the MTA, which has more than 70,000 employees, to be more welcoming to transgender employees and provide basic amenities, such as gender-neutral restrooms, in addition to education for existing employees.