Boston Herald | Sunday, July 14, 2013 | By Ariel Rodriguez

A 22-year-old Boston man is expected in Lynn District Court tomorrow accused of spitting at an MBTA bus driver after a dispute on a Route 435 bus in Lynn on June 18, transit police say.

Jeffrey Martinez was arrested and charged with assault and battery, and interfering with public transportation, police said.

On July 9 police posted video of a suspect they believe to be Martinez taken from cameras on the bus.

The video shows a man confronting the driver then, after getting off the bus, spitting at the T employee.

Cops credit tips received after release of the video with identifying Martinez.
This year 58 MBTA workers have been assaulted on the job, said transit police Lt. Detective Richard Sullivan.

“At this time last year we had 44, that translates to roughly a 32 percent increase.”

Transit police Superintendent in Chief Joseph O’Connor said the driver did what he could to de-escalate the confrontation.

“The operator did not respond to the constant threats and taunting and never left his seat,” O’Connor said.

“No matter how much training we give there are going to be individuals that find the need to assault MBTA employees.”