By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Tuesday evening, a 36-year-old man, who was of no fixed address, boarded a Hamilton city bus at the MacNab Bus Terminal and drove it away with passengers on board. The man, driving an articulated bus, made stops along the route, allowing passengers to get on and off, with approximately 10 passengers present at any given time. Passengers initially didn’t realize the man wasn’t the driver, even giving him directions and he denied access to someone with an expired bus pass. Police followed the bus, utilizing its GPS, and apprehended the man without incident on West 5th Street, charging him with multiple offenses, and withholding his name due to a potential mental health component.
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Man who took Hamilton bus on joy ride ‘did a great job’ driving, left no dings, say police, and the story unfolds like a scene right out of a quirky sitcom. It’s almost too perfect, isn’t it? A person, we’re not even sure who yet, decided to borrow a city bus in Hamilton for a bit of an unscheduled tour. And the kicker? The police, after apprehending the individual, reportedly complimented their driving skills, noting there wasn’t a single scratch on the vehicle. “You did a great job driving that bus, no dents or scratches,” said the officer. “Why thank you officer,” was the response. It feels like a setup to a punchline, doesn’t it? Like something Jerry Seinfeld would find hilarious.
The reports that people were getting off and on the bus at their designated stops add another layer of the absurd. This wasn’t some reckless joyride; it sounds like a perfectly ordinary commute, albeit one that wasn’t authorized. Apparently, he may have even been upholding the rules. People kept ringing the bell! And, get this, he refused to let someone board with an expired pass. You have to wonder, did he have a deep, abiding respect for the system? Was it a form of performance art? Or maybe, just maybe, he was a natural.
The whole situation reminds me of the classic, “Rules are Rules” bit. And the thought of someone, unauthorized but adhering to the schedule, dropping off and picking up passengers, it’s delightfully bizarre. Rules are crucial and, in this case, seemingly even for a rogue driver. The fact that the authorities might have considered someone’s mental state, rather than simply slapping on the cuffs, also sparks some thought.
The parallels to the Darius McCollum case are quite striking. Here’s a guy who, according to reports, has an uncanny knack for public transportation. It’s almost like he was “purpose built” for it, yet the very system he adores seems to be unable or unwilling to embrace his unique abilities. Is it the liability issue? The fear of the unknown? Or is it simply a matter of not being able to see beyond the initial infraction?
This kind of scenario is ripe for broader commentary. The Canadian officials were quoted to have mentioned that this may have involved a mental health component. I find it odd that they’re choosing to keep the person’s identity under wraps. It’s a bit of a head-scratcher, isn’t it? It makes you wonder what, or who, is behind the scenes. This is probably due to privacy concerns and sensitivity surrounding mental health issues. I suppose that’s fair. However, if this is truly the case, why isn’t it standard practice? Why make an exception now?
The whole story has a playful vibe. It brings out the humor in a situation that could have been very different. The fact that this could have turned into a disaster but instead resulted in a compliment from the police is simply delightful. And it’s refreshing to see a situation approached with a degree of understanding rather than just brute force. The whole thing plays out like a scene from a movie, and you can practically hear the comedic music cues. This is a story about a person with a particular set of skills who may have been, at least for a brief time, doing something they were clearly good at.