A man commandeered a Hamilton city bus on Tuesday evening, taking passengers on an unexpected journey, according to authorities.
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 in a news release by Hamilton police on Wednesday. Seizing the opportunity, a 36-year-old man without a fixed address boarded the bus, assumed the driver’s seat, and drove off towards the Mountain area.
The bus involved was described as an extended “articulated” model, featuring a flexible joint connecting the front and rear sections, confirmed police spokesperson Trevor McKenna. During the joy ride, the man made multiple stops along the route, allowing passengers to embark and disembark at various bus stops. At times, around 10 passengers were aboard the bus, noted McKenna, who commended the individual for his smooth handling of the vehicle without incident.
Nancy Purser, the transit director, mentioned ongoing collaboration with law enforcement to explore potential measures to prevent similar unauthorized incidents in the future. However, the drivers’ union declined to provide a comment on the matter.
According to police reports, initially, the passengers were unaware that the individual was not an official bus driver. However, as he began to make incorrect turns, the passengers grew suspicious and started questioning him. Eventually, one passenger even provided directions to guide the bus back to its intended route.
Authorities tactically trailed the bus, mindful of public safety risks, without activating sirens. By leveraging the bus’s GPS system in coordination with the Hamilton Street Railway team, officers tracked its movement discreetly to avoid escalating the situation. The pursuit concluded peacefully when the bus came to a stop on West 5th Street approximately 15 minutes later, enabling law enforcement to apprehend the man without any resistance.
The man faced charges of theft exceeding $5,000, possession over $5,000, obstructing police, and driving while prohibited. Due to potential mental health considerations, authorities refrained from disclosing the individual’s identity.
