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SALT LAKE CITY — Neil Uemura can still vividly remember the night he was assaulted by a stranger in December.
Uemura, a 20-year military veteran and Utah Transit Authority bus operator, was taking a short break at the Millcreek TRAX Station, 210 W. 3300 South in South Salt Lake, when he noticed someone who looked "off" at the station. He went over to check on the man and was assaulted.
"As soon as I was thinking to myself, 'What the heck is going on?' he was choking me full-throttle," Uemura said, folding his arms as he described the attack to members of the Utah House Transportation Committee during a meeting Monday. "We were just on the ground and he proceeded to — to my embarrassment — kind of kick the crap out of me."
He suffered fractured ribs, a punctured eardrum and other head injuries from what UTA officials described as an "unprovoked" three-minute attack. Uemura says he's thankful that he hasn't had any lingering effects from what happened, while the man was arrested and later charged with multiple felonies in relation to the incident.
But what Uemura, UTA officials and Utah lawmakers find equally troubling is that this case wasn't exactly unique. Federal and state officials note that attacks on transit workers have quadrupled nationwide over the past decade, including a 46% spike in Utah over the past five years.
"It's not just me. It's not just an isolated incident," Uemura said. "Something does have to be done about this. I'm not sure what, but I guess that's what we're all here for, to figure out what's going on."
In the wake of this attack, and a handful of high-profile incidents in the past few months, the Utah House of Representatives voted 69-0 Tuesday to approve a resolution that aims to recognize the role transit workers play in Utah.
HJR26, sponsored by Rep. Paul Cutler, R-Centerville, also brings awareness to the rise in attacks and calls for perpetrators "to be prosecuted to the fullest."
"I recognized that we don't need new laws, because there are already laws against assault. But we want to recognize that these frontline workers put themselves on the line to protect those riding public transit," Cutler said prior to Tuesday's vote. "This resolution acknowledges the critical role that they play in our state's transportation infrastructure and expresses concerns about the rise in assault."
In addition to Uemura's attack, a Draper man was charged last month with hijacking a UTA bus in Millcreek after threatening the driver. The incident followed a similar incident that took place last year in Murray.
There was another assault reported in Salt Lake City in the fall; UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said the driver who was attacked in that case is recovering but will likely have a limp for the rest of his life.
"When you look at these incidents, they're from people who just can't control their anger," he said, adding that he believes that operators should be treated no differently than other employees offering a public service.
Fox added that the agency is working on ways to offer better protection for its employees, but it also has a very large service area, which is why he supports the resolution and all the help the agency can receive.
The resolution has since been sent to the Utah Senate, where lawmakers will need to approve it before it clears the Utah Legislature. The Senate has until 11:59 p.m. Friday to approve all bills during this session.
As for Uemura, he has no plans to leave his job.
"I don't intend to change my route. I'm going to stick to the route," he said. "I'm going to try and not let this affect who I am."
