CHELSEA, MASS. (WHDH) - Transit police are turning to the public for help tracking down a woman who they say smashed the window of an MBTA bus in Chelsea after the bus driver asked her to put on a mask.

The incident occurred onboard an MBTA bus at Bellingham Square around 4 p.m. on Sunday, according to police.

The MBTA has required passengers to wear face masks since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, regardless of vaccination status.

Despite the mask rule, thirteen MBTA employees have been assaulted after asking riders to wear face coverings, transportation officials said.

“A lot of passengers don’t want to wear masks,” said Jim Evers, President of the Boston Carmen’s Union. “Unfortunately our operators are taking the brunt of this. They’re required to be the mask police.”

Evers added that transportation workers should be receiving hazard pay for putting themselves in harm’s way.

The bus driver was not injured in this particular incident.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Criminal Investigations Unit at 617-222-1050. Tips can be texted to 873873 or use the anonymous feature on our SeeSay app.

(Copyright (c) 2024 Sunbeam Television. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

Join our Newsletter for the latest news right to your inbox