India, Nov. 26 -- A brutal attack on a woman on board a CTA Blue Line train last week has renewed conversations about how America's public transit riders have been dealing with increasing safety issues. Bethany MaGee, 26, is recovering from severe burns in a hospital after being set ablaze by Lawrence Reed, of Chicago, on a CTA Blue Line train. Reed has a long criminal record, with various felony cases.

The attack was completely unprovoked. Reed was sitting at the back of a car on a Blue Line L train when he approached MaGee, who sat with her back to him, according to a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives arrest affidavit, CNN reported. He doused MaGee with what was believed to be gasoline, following which she ran to the ...