Metro bus driver charged with kidnapping

WASHINGTON -- The latest complaint against a Metro operator may be the most disturbing yet. Transit agency officials say a bus operator got into an argument with a passenger and refused to let that passenger off the bus last Saturday.

After Metro Transit Police responded and took statements from the driver, the passenger and witnesses, they determined that the driver of the bus, Michael Eric Robinson, wrongfully detained the woman. They charged him with kidnapping.

The July 25 episode unfolded on the D14 line to the Southern Avenue station in Prince George's County.

According to the police reports, the woman boarded the bus at the Suitland Metro stop and got into a verbal dispute with the driver, who reported to Metro Transit Police he was holding a disorderly passenger. The passenger then took a picture of the bus number to later file a complaint.

When the woman went to leave the bus, Robinson pulled the bus over and refused to let her leave until Metro Transit Police arrived. The bus was stopped for a half hour.

Robinson has been placed on administrative leave as the investigation into the incident continues.

It is the latest in a string of poor judgment and bad behavior by Metro train and bus operators.

Over the past month:

• Metro suspended a train operator after the operator sent text messages while at the controls.
• Another train operator received a 12-day suspension without pay. A video showed him apparently sleeping while his train sped down the tracks. Metro disclosed the punishment in a news release Wednesday.
• Metro issued a written reprimand to a bus operator who was reading a book behind the wheel.

Metro General Manager John Catoe says he has had enough.

The transit agency says it is now conducting a comprehensive review of its disciplinary procedures for train and bus operators and plans to stiffen penalties in the coming weeks.

"These are serious safety violations, and the punishment must reflect the offense," says Catoe in a statement.

"I am sending a clear message to employees and customers. I expect employees who are operating Metro vehicles to be fully engaged and aware that they are responsible for the safety of each customer on board their vehicle.

"Customers have a right to expect safe travel and attentive employees on our systems."

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