In assault cases, who could be considered a 'public transit operator'?

In the context of assault cases, a 'public transit operator' refers to individuals who are directly involved in operating transportation services that are publicly funded or regulated. A city bus driver is considered a public transit operator because they are employed by a government or public agency to provide transportation services for the public. City bus systems are typically established to facilitate public mobility and are funded through taxpayer money, making the drivers essential public service providers.

In contrast, although taxis, private bus contractors, and rideshare drivers like those for Uber provide transportation services, they are often not categorized as public transit operators. Taxi drivers and Uber drivers operate in private capacities. Private bus contractors may serve public routes but are hired on a contract basis rather than being part of a publicly funded transit system. Therefore, while they may perform similar transportation roles, they do not hold the same status as a city bus driver who is part of an established public transit service. Thus, within the context of this question, identifying a city bus driver as a public transit operator is accurate and aligns with the public service framework.