A man commandeered a Hamilton city bus on Tuesday evening, taking it for a joy ride with unsuspecting passengers still on board, according to police reports. The incident unfolded around 9 p.m. when a bus driver parked the vehicle at the downtown MacNab Bus Terminal for a brief break, as detailed by Hamilton law enforcement in a press statement released on Wednesday.
Subsequently, a 36-year-old man without a fixed address entered the bus, occupied the driver’s seat, and proceeded to drive off towards the Mountain area. The bus in question was of the articulated type, featuring an elongated design with a flexible joint connecting the front and rear sections, clarified police spokesperson Trevor McKenna during an interview.
Throughout the unauthorized journey, the individual made multiple stops, permitting passengers to embark and disembark at various bus stops. At certain points, the bus reportedly accommodated up to 10 passengers without any untoward incidents. McKenna lauded the man’s driving skills, noting that he managed the vehicle proficiently despite the unusual circumstances, emphasizing the fortunate absence of injuries.
In response to the incident, transit director Nancy Purser expressed collaboration with law enforcement to explore potential measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. The driver’s union declined to provide a comment when approached for feedback.
According to McKenna, passengers initially mistook the unauthorized driver for an official bus operator. However, as he deviated from the designated route, passengers grew suspicious and began questioning him. One passenger even provided directions to guide the man back onto the correct path. Additionally, the individual declined boarding to a person with an expired bus pass, as highlighted by the police in the official statement.
Law enforcement adopted a cautious approach during the pursuit, monitoring the stolen bus discreetly to minimize potential risks to public safety. Coordinating with the Hamilton Street Railway, officers utilized the bus’s GPS system to track its movements without activating sirens to avoid alarming the suspect.
After approximately 15 minutes, the bus came to a halt on West 5th Street, where authorities apprehended the man without any resistance. The individual faced charges including theft exceeding $5,000, possession of items exceeding $5,000, obstruction of police, and driving under a prohibition.
In consideration of potential mental health factors, the man’s identity was withheld by authorities.