A TTC bus driver who was pepper-sprayed by an irate passenger Wednesday morning said he isn't going to let the incident scare him away from the job he loves.

"I would love to come back to work tomorrow," Carrigan McQueen told CTV's Colin D'Mello in an exclusive interview.

McQueen and two other men were pepper sprayed at about 9:30 a.m. in front of 1250 Sheppard Ave. W., which is northwest of Downsview station.

According to McQueen, the woman who attacked him was upset because he couldn't give her a transfer — which is protocol at TTC stations.

"She became abusive towards me, verbally abusive towards me," said McQueen.

When the woman continued to shout obscenities, McQueen said he decided to pull over and get off the bus.

But McQueen said the woman followed him, hovering less than a foot away. That's when he was allegedly pepper sprayed.

"It was stinging, burning; I was on the ground," he told CTV Toronto. "I couldn't see anything for over an hour."

The woman also sprayed two passengers who ran towards her trying to stop the attack, police said.

She attempted to flee the scene, but the two sprayed men chased and captured her. They held her until officers arrived, Const. Tony Vella told CTV News.

Toronto EMS said they treated McQueen and the other men at the scene. Everyone involved in the incident is expected to fully recover.

McQueen said several passengers who witnessed the incident rushed over to help him afterwards.

"Some of them offered me water to wash my eyes," said McQueen. "I met them at the police station and I personally gave them my thanks."

According to the TTC, at least two drivers are assaulted on the job every single day. The attacks range from being spit on to being kicked or punched.

Still, McQueen said he isn't going to let the incident discourage him from returning to work.

"Even if it was really bad, at the end of the day I just want to come to work, do my job and go home," he said.

The suspect, a 28-year-old mother, is facing a number of charges:

  • carrying a concealed weapon
  • possession of a weapon dangerous to the public peace (3 counts)
  • assault with a weapon (3 counts)
  • administering a noxious substance (3 counts)

Dana Chobotaru is scheduled to appear in court Thursday for a bail hearing.

With a report from CTV's Colin D'Mello