A morning disturbance unfolded shortly after 9:27 a.m. on March 9 at the curb near 53 San Vicente Street in Valencia. A young man, reportedly not fully alert, attempted to board EMT bus line 64. The bus driver clearly indicated that smoking while boarding was not allowed, a rule understood by most and mandated by public transport regulations across Valencia and Spain. Despite the driver’s firm refusal, the man persisted in trying to get onto the bus, and the driver reiterated the prohibition against traveling while smoking. The tension intensified, escalating into a heated argument and near physical confrontation, driven by the young man’s persistent behavior, according to eyewitness accounts.
Another driver moved to support his colleague amid the growing dispute.
As a result of the altercation, the driver had to halt the vehicle and exit to manage the situation. The other passengers waiting to board reacted by converging on the young man and bringing him down to the ground using a basic martial-arts hold. During this moment, a second EMT bus traveling in the opposite direction also stopped, with its driver stepping off to assist his colleague. In the end, several passengers and the two drivers managed to restrain the individual until a National Police patrol, passing through the area, arrived to take control of the offender and detain him. The incident drew noticeable attention along the street, with pedestrians and neighbors observing the scene, some filming with mobile phones from both buses’ sides as the situation unfolded.
Episodes like this shed light on how public transportation crews handle difficult acts of incivility. When a traveler or several travelers refuse to accept the authority of the EMT driver, insult him, threaten him, or attempt to aggression, the driver typically stops the vehicle and calls for Local Police intervention. The same applies to fare evasion or passengers who jump queues. In each case, the driver takes a serious risk and must respond to the situation on the ground, prioritizing safety for everyone aboard and nearby.
Citation: Local Valencia reporting on public transport incidents and passenger conduct.