An MTA bus driver was attacked today by a punk trying to skip out on the bus fare in The Bronx, authorities said.

The BX41 bus was stopped at 161st Street and Melrose Avenue at 8 a.m. when the hood hopped on through the back door, an MTA spokesman said.

When the driver politely reminded the thief that the fare is $2.25, the man grabbed the driver by the throat and pushed him into a window, an MTA spokesman said

The creep then fled from the bus.

The driver was taken to St. Barnabus Hospital where he is being treated for a facial injury, officials said.