Local bus drivers are calling for harsher penalties for people who attack transit workers following an alleged assault on a Yonkers bus driver.

Prosecutors say 29-year-old Thywill Anasu of Manhattan is accused of putting Bee-Line bus driver Johnny Rodriguez in a chokehold and slamming him to the ground after a crash in Yonkers in April. Rodriguez was hospitalized for more than a week.

Anasu has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault.

As Anasu returns to Westchester County Court, union members are rallying in support of Rodriguez. They say the bail set in the case was lower than prosecutors requested and are calling for upgraded charges.

"To body slam and hit his head against the concrete, I saw it clearly," said TWU Local 100 President John Chiarello. "He should spend a good amount of time in jail."

Anasu's family disputes the allegations.

"He didn't do anything wrong and he didn't do this," Anasu's mother said.

Union officials also say Anasu was arrested in connection with another case in the Bronx while out on bail. Police say he is accused of stealing air-conditioning units from an active fire scene in August and injuring an FDNY fire marshal while fleeing. He faces multiple charges, including assault, burglary, grand larceny and reckless endangerment in that case.