MTA Suspends Bus Driver Seen on Video Without Hands on Wheel

The New York City bus driver caught on video apparently reading and writing while behind the wheel of a packed bus in Queens was suspended without pay Monday, the MTA announced.

The bus driver, who was seen on video published online by the New York Post driving a city bus with a highlighter in one hand and a piece of paper in the other, could face additional disciplinary action including dismissal, according to an MTA representative.

The video was posted online after a rider noticed the driver of the A train shuttle bus in Ozone Park looking down and highlighting papers while driving on Saturday, the Post reports.

The footage begins with the vehicle at a standstill. As the bus pulls away from the stop, the driver can be seen marking on the papers and steering with his forearms. The woman who captured the video told the Post that the driver appeared to be distracted for at least 10 minutes and four stops.

A transit source told the Post that the papers looked like bus timetables and the driver was checking to make sure he was hitting his stops on time.

The union told the Post it is defending the driver, who has been on the job since 1984.

Contact Us