PASSENGERS were left stranded on Saturday after a bus driver was arrested in Whitby.
The 33-year-old driver was carted off by police and given an £80 fixed penalty notice after allegedly swearing and making gestures at a police officer.
Witnesses said it was another half an hour before a replacement bus arrived after the Arriva dr
iver was led away in handcuffs.
The driver has now been suspended by bus firm Arriva.
Gillian Orton was waiting with her husband David for a return bus to Ruswarp when the incident happened.
She said a police van was parked near the George Hotel in Whitby, blocking the bus route.
"We were sat waiting for our bus when it all happened," she said.
"The bus went past the police
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officer and then the police officer went after the bus in his car, and he appeared to be in conversation with the bus driver.
"The bus stopped at the bus stop opposite the George Hotel and prepared to load the waiting passengers – however the constable appeared, pushed the boarding people aside and off the bus and arrested the driver.
"When asked 'why the arrest?' the PC informed the queue he had suffered the indignity of having a rude sign made at him, which he demonstrated to us.
"The driver was then marched off in handcuffs, the bus was locked leaving the passengers stranded."
The Whitby Gazette has learnt it was alleged the driver swore and made gestures at the officer, leading to his arrest.
Mr and Mrs Orton visited the police station to express their concerns but were told nobody was available.
Sgt Ian Donald at Whitby Police confirmed a 33-year-old man had been arrested at 9.45am on Saturday for a public order offence and was given an £80 penalty notice.
He said: "We will always deal firmly with public order incidents and will continue to do so."
Martin Shire, area manager south for Arriva, confirmed one of their drivers had been involved in an incident.
"We are working with police and carrying out our own investigation into the matter. The driver has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation and we be dealt with when we have all the relevant information.
"I apologise to our customers who were inconvenienced by this incident."
The full article contains 393 words and appears in Whitby Gazette Tuesday newspaper.
