NJ Transit Conductor Sues After Passenger Assault Without Police Presence

An assistant conductor filed a federal complaint after a passenger brutally hit him without police at hand. This terrifying tragedy has people worry about New Jersey Transit train safety. August 6 saw the U.S. District Court filing. On December 4, 2022, a Middlesex County train traveling to Metropark Station experienced an incident.

Marlton-based NJ Transit assistant conductor Mark Coppola says things became worse when a passenger pushed the emergency cord on the train at 11:30 p.m., which stopped it immediately. The person allegedly made himself obvious to other train passengers. People said the customer assaulted Coppola and attacked other staff members who tried to help.

The lawsuit claims the brawl lasted 20–30 minutes before NJ Transit police arrived at Metropark Station. Coppola shows that no cops were on the train at the event. The Metropark Station police center will close permanently in November 2021, therefore there were no officers there. Since the police weren’t there, the conductor and others had to handle a dangerous situation.

Coppola crashed, damaging his shoulders and right knee. He has suffered from anxiety, depression, and PTSD in addition to physical injuries, according to the argument. This shows that violence can leave mental scars.

The allegation is that NJ Transit was reckless since it knew it required more staff but didn’t safeguard its workers from angry clients. The complaint shows 37 NJ Transit workers were attacked 47 times between June 1999 and November 2024. In May 2021, Coppola was attacked at work, proving that train workers are not always safe.

The lawsuit also seeks systemic changes, including as increased communication between conductors and NJ Transit cops and a review of staffing levels to ensure transit workers’ safety. Coppola wants $150,000. He says the money will ease his physical and mental pain.

NJ Transit hasn’t commented because the dispute is ongoing. The episode and subsequent lawsuits raise important questions regarding New Jersey’s transit system’s safety and police, especially late at night when staff may be scarce.

Transportation experts and labor groups agree that this example shows how important it is to tighten safety procedures and monitor transit workers’ health and safety, who often work in dangerous conditions without assistance.

Sources:

• U.S. District Court, Federal Lawsuit Filings

• NJ Transit Official Statements

• Public Records of NJ Transit Police Staffing and Assault Reports