An HSR bus operator went to the washroom on Tuesday evening, only to step out and discover his bus ‘was gone.’
“[He] said he walked into the washroom, came back out and called me on the phone saying his bus was gone,” HSR’s on duty dispatcher is heard saying in a recording obtained by this news outlet.
During the few minutes the operator left his bus parked at its assigned spot in the downtown MacNab Transit Terminal, a 34-year-old male of no fixed address boarded the bus. Hamilton Police state he impersonated a bus operator, stole the bus, and drove away.
The imposter “even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired Bus Pass,” a Hamilton Police news release states.
The imposter operated the 60-foot articulated bus for approximately 15 minutes, attempting to follow the regular 35-College route the bus was assigned to.
“The suspect proceeded to travel up the Hamilton Mountain, making multiple stops along the way, allowing passengers to board and exit freely. “
HSR data transmitted to third-party smartphone applications provides a minute-by-minute account of what happened.
The data reveals the bus departed the MacNab Transit Terminal between 8:56 and 8:57 p.m., proceeded southbound along James Street before going off-route at Charlton Avenue, travelled around the hospital, then went to Augusta Street and navigated Hughson Street, before returning to the bus route, and finally being stopped by Hamilton Police at West 5th Street and Fennell Avenue.
Following the incident, the bus continued its regular schedule until end-of-service.
Raw Audio of HSR’s Dispatcher’s Reaction to the Incident
Here is the minute-by-minute timeline.
MacNab Transit Terminal (8:41 to 8:57 p.m.)
8:39 p.m. — Bus 1432, a 60-foot New Flyer model operating on Route 35-College, reports its location as King Street East and John Street North. The directional orientation indicates it is waiting to make a left turn onto King Street. The bus is scheduled to arrive at the MacNab Street transit terminal at 8:40 p.m.
8:41 p.m. — The bus is pulling into the MacNab terminal.
8:42 p.m. — Bus 1432 is stopped at the 35-College stop. The GPS unit reports a bearing of 192 degrees, pointing southwesterly as required for this route.
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8:54 p.m. — Bus 1432’s GPS unit continues to report no change in orientation.
8:55 p.m. — The GPS unit reports a bearing of 52 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update. This may indicate a data error.
8:56 p.m. — The GPS unit again reports a bearing of 52 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update. This may indicate a data error.
8:57 p.m. — Bus 1432 is now oriented at a bearing of 204 degrees. Speed is reported as 1.6 km/h. Location is entering Main Street. This is consistent with the bus departing.
It is not scheduled to leave for another three minutes. HSR operators are not permitted to leave the terminal before their scheduled times.
James Street South (8:58 p.m. to 9:01 p.m.)
8:58 p.m. — The GPS unit reports the bus on James Street South, just south of Main Street. The reported speed is 8.0 km/h, and the bearing is 208 degrees.
8:59 p.m. — James Street South at Hunter Street. Speed: 16.1 km/h.
9:00 p.m. — James Street South at Young Street. Speed: 22.5 km/h.
9:01 p.m. — James Street South at Charlton Avenue. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update.
HSR Dispatch Radio Audio
During this timeframe, the HSR dispatch becomes aware the bus is “gone.”
Dispatcher to On-Road Supervisors: “Operator [employee number] Mr. [Name] said he walked into the washroom, came back out and called me on the phone saying his bus was gone.”
Driving Around St. Joseph’s Hospital (9:02 p.m. to 9:05 p.m.)
9:02 p.m. — The GPS unit states the bus is now on John Street South, a few metres south of Charlton Avenue East. Travelling at 6.4 km/h with a bearing of 180 degrees. This bearing indicates the bus is turning from Charlton Avenue East onto John Street.
9:03 p.m. — The bus is now westbound on St. Joseph’s Drive, having turned from John Street South. The GPS unit reports a speed of 14.5 km/h with a bearing of 288 degrees.
9:04 p.m. — St. Joseph’s Drive at James Street South. The bus remains on a bearing of 288 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update.
9:05 p.m. — The GPS unit reports the bus has turned onto James Street South and is travelling northbound with a bearing of 12 degrees. It is located directly beside the ambulance ramp into St. Joseph’s emergency.
HSR Dispatch Radio Audio
During this time period, there are two dispatcher broadcasts.
Dispatcher: “We believe 1432 might be under the control of someone who is not an HSR driver. On [acronym] system currently going along St. Joseph’s Drive up to James Street South.”
The on-road supervisor responds to the dispatch. The audio of this response is not available.
Dispatcher: “Yeap, bus 1432 now currently headed northbound on James Street, we believe may not be under the control of an HSR driver. It could be driven by somebody who has taken one of our buses.”
The “Backroads” of Augusta Street and Hughson Street South (9:06 p.m. to 9:09 p.m.)
9:06 p.m. — This HSR data transmission does not include Bus 1432. The bus is about to enter, as the HSR dispatch puts it, “the back roads here.”
9:07 p.m. — GPS states the bus is on Hughson Street South, travelling southbound at Augusta Street, with a bearing of 188 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update.
This means the suspect managed to navigate the 60-foot articulated bus southbound on James Street, made a tight turn onto Augusta Street, navigated the narrow street, and then made a difficult turn onto Hughson Street.
9:08 p.m. — GPS states the bus remains on Hughson Street and is approaching Charlton Avenue at a speed of 14.5 km/h, with a bearing of 196 degrees.
9:09 p.m. — Bus 1432 is now on Charlton Avenue entering the intersection of James Street South with a bearing of 260 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update.
HSR Dispatch Radio Audio
During this time period, there is one dispatcher broadcast.
Dispatcher: “Because he’s tooling in and out of the back roads here. When we ask him on the radio for a badge number, he’s just throw numbers at us, and, uh, that don’t even exist.”
James Mountain Road and West 5th Street
9:10 p.m. — Bus 1432 is reported in front of 75 James Mountain Road, travelling at 14.5 km/h, with a bearing of 236 degrees.
9:11 p.m. — The bus is reported near the top of James Mountain Road, travelling at 22.5 km/h, with a bearing of 236 degrees.
9:12 p.m. — The bus is reported on West 5th Street metres south of Brantdale Avenue at a speed of 14.5 km/h, with a bearing of 196 degrees.
9:13 p.m. — Bus 1432 comes to a stop on West 5th, north of Fennell Avenue, with a bearing of 192 degrees.
Bus Remains Stopped for 30 Minutes
The bus remains stationary for nearly 30 minutes. Hamilton Police confirmed their response but released no additional details about what occurred during this stop.
9:42 p.m. — Bus 1432 resumes service. The GPS unit reports a bearing of 152 degrees. No speed value was reported to transit apps in this update.
9:43 p.m. — The bus is travelling southbound on West 5th at 38.6 km/h.
Production Details
v. 2.0.0
Published: November 12, 2025
Last updated: November 12, 2025
Author: Joey Coleman
Update Record
v. 1.0.0 original version (2:00 a.m.)
v. 1.1.0 updated with Police statement. (11:05 a.m. on November 12)
v. 1.2.0 Copyedits to reflect police information and improve readability. (11:15 a.m.)
v. 1.3.0 added transcripted quotes from HSR dispatch radio transmissions. (12:32 p.m.)
v. 1.4.0 HEADLINE CHANGE - From "Reports of Stolen HSR Bus: What We Know at 2:00 a.m." to "Minute-by-Minute with Dispatch Audio: HSR Bus Stolen in What Police Call a 'Joy Ride'" (12:32 p.m.)
v. 1.5.0 Addition of details of travel between 9:02 p.m. and 9:10 p.m. (12:50 p.m.)
v. 1.6.0 GPS plot map added. (2:07 p.m.)
v. 2.0.0 added Instagram embed of dispatch audio.
I love stories like this! Rooting for the underdog. Wonder how long this guy thought about doing this. Bravo sir, an inspiration to all, set goals and knock them out of the park. Society has failed this dear man, why is he unhoused instead of being a city bus driver employee.
Please hire this man!!! Letting passengers on & off, even refusing service to someone with an expired pass! He is better than most of these HSR drivers lol. I think he’s unhoused too, so this was just him taking the opportunity to prove himself. Give him the job!!!!
Wow! Obviously the person knows how to drive a bus, I’d be scared to try. I talk to HSR operators who are also Y members and can’t wait to get their feedback on this. I’m guessing the hijacker didn’t know HSR buses have GPS. Like Bugs Bunny said should have made that turn at Albuquerque. :D