2 MTA Heroes honored for teaching vocational skills to students with autism

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) -- This week we have two MTA Heroes: General Superintendent of Transportation, Nicole Verganelis and bus operator, Richie LaBarbera.

Both work out of the Charleston Bus Depot on Staten Island and teach vocational skills at PS 37.

That includes students with autism.

Nicole is a mother of two. Both of her children are autistic and attend the school.

Every Tuesday, the students learn about cleaning and maintaining buses.

Richie even created a simulation that allows students to see what it's like to drive a bus.

ALSO READ | Line of migrants sleeping outside stretches around Roosevelt Hotel's Midtown block

The Mayor's Office says more than 93,000 asylum seekers have come through the city's intake system since last spring. Sonia Rincon has more.

----------

* Get Eyewitness News Delivered

* Follow us on YouTube

* More local news

* Send us a news tip

* Download the abc7NY app for breaking news alerts

Submit a tip or story idea to Eyewitness News

Have a breaking news tip or an idea for a story we should cover? Send it to Eyewitness News using the form below. If attaching a video or photo, terms of use apply.