City transportation officials are considering offering cash rewards to riders who report assaults on transit workers.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the plan would be similar to a police program that offers rewards for information leading to arrests.
Attacks on MTA workers have increased 30 percent, from 72 in 2010 to 94 last year.
The agency says 40 workers have been attacked so far this year.
Harry Wills of the Transport Workers Union Local 100 tells the New York Post that officials hope the reward will encourage riders who witness an assault to remain on the scene until police arrive.
The union represents 34,000 transit workers.
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