Metro Transit apologizes for driver who napped while customers waited

Updated: February 5, 2009 - 6:58 AM

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A Metro Transit bus driver refused to let passengers board a bus in Oakdale on Wednesday morning and made them wait outside in frigid weather for about 20 minutes while he took a nap.

The driver was placed on paid administrative leave, and the transit agency is apologizing to the customers, said Bob Gibbons, director of customer service for Metro Transit.

"That, of course, is not in keeping with training, expectations or policy," Gibbons said. "Customers should be able to board as they choose."

The incident began when the driver for Route 375 arrived at a park-and-ride lot in Oakdale at 7:41 a.m. The bus wasn't scheduled to leave for downtown Minneapolis until 8:07, so the driver reclined on a seat and would not open the door. He told passengers that he was on his break, Gibbons said.

However, passengers are allowed to board buses whenever the driver is present, Gibbons said.

When the driver did open the door, a quarrel ensued between him and the passengers. A videotape recording was removed from the bus and will be included in the investigation. The driver has worked for Metro Transit for a little more than four years, but he is not the normal driver for that route.

Metro Transit received complaint calls from 16 passengers Wednesday. If passengers are ever blocked by a driver from boarding a bus, they are asked to call 612-373-3333.

LORA PABST