Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / File photo of a B.C. Transit bus operating on Yale Road near Save-On-Foods in downtown Chilliwack. B.C. Transit, a Crown corporation that coordinates the delivery of public transportation across B.C., says a Chilliwack bus driver has been removed for inappropriate comments directed at a minor.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Chilliwack bus driver

Chilliwack bus driver removed from duties for allegedly making inappropriate comments to a minor

Mar 14, 2024 | 3:20 PM

CHILLIWACK — B.C. Transit, a Crown corporation that coordinates the delivery of public transportation across B.C., says a Chilliwack bus driver has been removed from the job for making ill-advised comments directed at a minor.

According to a statement released through a spokesperson Thursday afternoon (Mar. 14), the provincial agency says it’s aware that a driver in the Chilliwack transit system allegedly made inappropriate comments to a young passenger. The comments happened sometime this past week.

It should be noted the employee is not directly employed by B.C. Transit, but by a contracted service provider.

The issue arose after a Chilliwack-area parent had significant concerns about the actions of the bus driver in question. Fraser Valley Today is not identifying the parent.

“B.C. Transit is aware that a driver in the Chilliwack Transit System allegedly made inappropriate comments to a young passenger,” B.C. Transit said in a prepared statement. “The employee was immediately removed from their duties by contracted operating partner Transdev Canada, who delivers transit services on B.C. Transit’s behalf. Transdev Canada is conducting a full investigation, which will include the review of CCTV footage.”

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Fraser Valley Today has received a picture of the alleged driver, who appears to be under 40 years old, with a slender build, possibly Caucasian, and brown facial hair. The unidentified driver has not been charged with any crime at this point.

In the meantime, B.C. Transit says it investigates complaints swiftly and liaises with law enforcement accordingly.

“Our organization takes reports of inappropriate and illegal behaviour within our systems very seriously and work closely with police to follow the legal process for complaints,” B.C. Transit said in its prepared statement. “If someone is the victim of an inappropriate or illegal activity, or sees something of this nature on the bus, please contact local police or B.C. Transit immediately.”

Chilliwack RCMP spokesperson Corporal Carmen Kiener said Friday morning (Mar. 15) that she’s not aware of any police file or this being reported to police, and apologized in an email that she could not be of greater assistance.