Metro probes photo of bus driver reading behind the wheel
By: Kytja Weir
Examiner Staff Writer
July 10, 2009
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| (J.P. Freire) |
It's not just modern technology, such as cell phones, that may be distracting Metro operators from their jobs.
A Metrobus driver was photographed apparently reading a book while driving a bus on a busy street in downtown Washington, the latest incident of a rider catching a transit employee multitasking on the job.
The photograph was taken last month by a Washington Examiner employee who was riding the bus during the evening commute. The bus was traveling in stop-and-go traffic on Connecticut Avenue between K and L streets on a rainy weekday, according to the rider. No crashes occurred while the rider was aboard.
The bus driver could not be reached for comment, and the union that represents him declined to discuss the case Thursday.
Metro officials said they began investigating the driver as soon as they were contacted by The Examiner. "They should not be reading a book," Metro spokeswoman Lisa Farbstein said. "Under no circumstances."
But it is not clear what punishment the driver could face. The new zero tolerance cell phone policy announced Thursday would not apply to drivers reading books while driving, Farbstein said. However, she said, it could be considered "conduct unbecoming" of an operator or "engaging in unprofessional behavior."
Books, though, haven't been as big of a concern among transit officials nationwide as cell phones and other hand-held electronic devices that have become ubiquitous.
The photo, taken with an iPhone, is just the latest case of riders capturing the misdeeds of Metro employees with their own hand-held devices.
A Metro train operator was recently suspended without pay for five days after a rider shot video of him apparently text messaging while operating a Blue Line train in automatic mode. Another rider took video of a train operator who appeared to be sleeping while operating a train automatically. A third shows a bus driver texting.
Metro is considering putting its own cameras into rail cars and already has some in buses, but Farbstein said the drivers union has fought any cameras being trained on employees. The union did not respond for comment.
Metro officials say they welcome riders' photos or videos of Metro drivers who misbehave.
"If customers believe they see something that's not safe, they should let us know," said spokesman Steven Taubenkibel. "We guarantee we will follow up."
