Asshole of the Week

SEPTA: Not this week's asshole. This time the story is not about stranded passengers, or surly drivers, buses driving into people willy-nilly, missing your job interview, missing your optometrist's appointment, being trapped underground for an hour on the trolley for no reason and with no explanation, having your bus rerouted into nowhere, service going up in price or service ending. Not any of those things. This time, SEPTA, or at least a SEPTA driver, was the wronged party.

Two unknown teenage boys boarded the 124 bus, headed towards Center City from the King of Prussia Mall. When the boys couldn't pay the whole fare at first, the driver, Esteban Santiago let them on anyway, saying, "We're flexible. We know what the situation is, what the economy is. Period. So we work it out." This kind of kindness and understanding from any SEPTA emissary is almost unknown to this Phillyist, so it makes what happens next even worse, more stupid, and more pointless.

Upon arriving downtown, the boys refuse to pay any part of the fare. Estaban tries to get them to give a few dollars towards the total, and instead of manning up and paying—they beat him. On camera. The driver was trapped behind the wheel as the two choked him and punched him, all while the door was open. They could have just left. Instead, they're on tape and the police are looking for them. Anyone with information is urged to call the police hotline at 215-686-TIPS.

So, awful kids: stop it. Let someone be nice to you. Don't be assholes.

Image credit: Flickr user Saquan Stimpson/mostershaq2000