This week on Weird and Wacky Wednesdays: More people taking the bus
We are always told it would be better if we took the bus. More of us should take the bus. Some people take that advice to heart and then take the bus a little too far. This week is about the folks who climbed aboard and ended up in a heap of trouble.
The Man Who Looked at a Parked Bus and Saw an Opportunity
In Ontario, a man boarded an HSR bus while the driver stepped away for a break. Instead of waiting, he closed the doors, put it in gear, and drove the route with passengers on board. He made regular stops and let people off like it was just another shift. Police found him later and arrested him. There were no injuries and no explanation for why he believed he had been promoted to transit operator for the day.
The Bathroom Break That Turned Into a Vehicle Theft
In Surrey, a TransLink driver stepped away for a quick bathroom break. Someone else decided that was long enough to justify a full test drive. The bus disappeared from the stop and was found later with the thief walking away from it. He did not have a licence and did not appear to have a plan. He just saw a large, expensive public vehicle and thought he would give it a whirl. Police ended the experiment. The bus went back into service. The thief went somewhere less scenic.
The Midnight Borrowing at the Vancouver Transit Centre
In Vancouver, a man slipped into the transit yard and helped himself to a bus that was parked for the night. He drove it around long enough to cause a bit of property damage. The ride was not subtle. Large city buses are not known for quiet escapes. Transit Police found the bus nearby and arrested the man. He did not explain the motive. He simply took the bus because it was there, which is not a defence that holds up well in court.
If you ever get the urge to take the bus in a way the transit authority did not intend, remember you have the right to silence and you should use it. Then call me. See you next Wednesday.
