A San Francisco railway employee has been arrested on suspicion of punching a 17-year-old girl during a dispute over fares.

Police say the girl and her sister asked 59-year-old Muni ticket agent Kenneth Valentine for a youth ticket Thursday afternoon at the Embarcadero Station. Youth tickets cost 75 cents while adult trips cost $2.

But the girl did not have any proof of age, and police say she may have looked older than she was.

Valentine allegedly punched her as they argued. He was arrested on suspicion of felony and misdemeanor assault.

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Police say Valentine and the girl were taken to the hospital for minor injuries.

Muni spokesman Judson True says the agency is conducting its own investigation into the incident.

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Information from: San Francisco Chronicle, http://www.sfgate.com/chronicle