NEW YORK, Dec. 1  -- Police said they suspect a rider angered by not being given a free transfer stabbed a New York City bus driver to death Monday.

New York radio station 1010 WINS reported driver Edwin Thomas, 46, was fatally wounded about 12:30 p. m. shortly after a man boarded his B-46 bus in Brooklyn, swiped an invalid fare card, sat down and then asked for a transfer slip. Police said the man apparently attacked Thomas when the driver told him he didn't pay for the ride and so couldn't have a transfer ticket.

The man hit Thomas in the head and stabbed him while other passengers looked on before fleeing on foot, police said.

A $36,000 reward was being offered for information leading to the arrest of the man, described as 18-20 years old, black and wearing jeans and an Adidas jacket.

Thomas was the first on-duty city bus driver killed in more than 25 years, 1010 WINS reported. (UPI)