Council Member Jim Graham is seeking to increase penalties and prison time for people convicted of assaulting, threatening or in any other way harming Metrobus drivers who are on the job.

Legislation introduced by Graham, D-Ward 1, who sits on the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority’s board of directors, would increase fines and jail time for people convicted of assaulting a driver by 50 percent.

There were 93 assaults against Metro operators in the District in 2006, Graham said. During the same time, there were 16 assaults on bus drivers in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties and none in Arlington County.

“The council should do everything possible to ensure Metro drivers have the protection they need,” Graham said.

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The bill would also increase the charge for people found guilty of throwing objects such as rocks at any vehicle to assault with a deadly weapon.

A conviction for assault with a deadly weapon carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years, Graham staff members said.

cmabeus@dcexaminer.com