A Hamilton, Ontario man commandeered a public transit bus Tuesday night with roughly 10 passengers aboard, piloting the articulated vehicle along its designated route without causing damage yet meticulously denying boarding to someone carrying an expired pass, authorities confirmed to CBC. Police spokesperson Trevor McKenna described the situation as both humorous and severe, stating "It's comical but at the same time it's serious. We're thankful nobody was hurt," according to CBC.
The incident began when the legitimate operator exited at a terminal for a break, after which an individual boarded and departed with the vehicle, conducting multiple stops for passenger entry and exit, Wednesday's police statement indicated per CBC. Initial passenger confusion about the unauthorized driver shifted to providing navigational assistance when incorrect turns occurred, McKenna told CBC.
Authorities tracked the transit vehicle while staying "mindful of the potential risk to public safety," coordinating with Hamilton Street Railway to monitor GPS positioning and keeping sirens deactivated throughout, CBC reported. McKenna explained officers aimed to avoid alarming the driver, stating "We didn't want to spook him" and "We didn't want to make this a tragedy."
Police successfully stopped the bus after roughly 15 minutes and apprehended the unnamed individual without incident or injuries, CBC noted. The suspect, who has no permanent residence, faces multiple charges including theft exceeding $5,000 (roughly $3,540), obstructing officers and prohibited operation, with court proceedings scheduled to address all allegations, according to the police statement reported by CBC.
