The Metropolitan Transportation Authority and the Transport Workers Union are calling on the city to step up after a string of attacks on workers across the city. 

They are demanding more protection for both riders and their employees. 

MTA officials say 52-year-old Gerald Sykes was slashed across his face on Thursday and is now being treated at a hospital. 

Police say it happened on a J train just before 11:30 pm Wednesday night. The incident is now added to others as the MTA is now calling for additional NYPD officers and mental health resources. 

“This tragic incident underlines once again the critical need for increased and engaged police presence in our system at this pivotal moment in the city’s history, as the city returns from COVID-19,” said MTA Chairman and CEO Patrick Foye.

Foye says commuters need to be safe and feel safe while riding buses and trains. 

“Where ridership is, crime should be much lower. Now, we are constantly criticized that the system is not safe. Of course, the system is safe, of course, it is safe for the vast majority of people who are using the system. But it is not currently safe for all of our transit workers and it’s not as safe as it could be,” said NYC Transit Interim President Sarah Feinberg. 

MTA officials tell News 12 that ridership has been down as crime continues to see a spike.