To me, the situation most reminded me of a number of simliar situations I encountered in my 13 years of riding a school bus as a public school student.
Often it was the case that some redneck asshole would drape his foot across the seat, not letting anybody sit down next to him/her. It was the norm to ask, then if denied, push the asshole's leg out of the way so you could sit down. This actually happened to me and I'm sure countless other bus riders a number of times.
I can't remember if the asshole ever responded with a punch to the head. But if he/she did respond that way, and it was observed by the bus driver, I'm quite certain no bus driver who was properly doing their job would side on the side of the asshole and deem a punch to the head as appropriate. The asshole would likely be reprimanded with some kind of punishment, and the person who had stood up for his/her right to sit down would go unpunished.
Anyway, like I said...I personally won't bother with these assholes anymore. I'm glad I'm not a regular Metro rider and I'm glad my daughter will never have to ride a school bus to school.