“Rider Says Unconscious Man Was Lying on Bus Floor; Dispatcher Shocked but Follow-Up Call Produced No Answers
BY: Robert Jowaiszas Community Editor/Reporter – Keith S. Shikowitz Editor In Chief
A rider boarded the # 340 Route 59 TOR bus in Nanuet near the Chili’s restaurant at approximately 10:15 pm on November 15, 2025, going to Nyack. When he stepped onto the bus, he saw a man lying on the floor half under the seat and half in the aisle, completely passed out. He wasn’t moving at all, and it looked very serious.
The rider went straight to the bus driver and told him a man was passed out on the floor. The driver didn’t seem concerned and said he would “take care of it after his shift.” That didn’t make sense to him because the man looked like he needed help right then. The rider told me of the incident.
When I got home, I called TOR Transit and spoke to a dispatcher named Liz. She sounded shocked when I told her a man had been lying on the bus floor unconscious, and she thanked me for reporting it.
I later called back to ask why the driver didn’t respond right away. During the second call, Liz told me she had spoken to the driver, and he said he would make sure the man was okay when he got back to Spring Valley. When I tried to ask why he didn’t take action when he was first told, she said she couldn’t answer those questions and had other calls to take.
Video below shows a man passed out on the floor of TOR bus # 340. No one was doing anything to help the person. The driver’s words can be seen on the text in the video. The driver said I aware of that, I aware of that since I mean every week sill like this. Just got on the bus and sleeping through.
When asked if he sure the man’s alive, the driver responded, “Yeah he’s good. When I last trip I want to make sure that we… When questioned further by the rider he said He’s drunk, he’s using drugs.
The audio recording below is the conversation between the reporter and the dispatcher at TOR
The driver, according to the dispatcher, was waiting until they to Spring Valley from Nyack before letting the person off the bus.
The driver, according to TOR regulations, violated these by allowing the person on to the bus and admitting that the person was on the bus like this every week.
Key regulations and expectations for intoxicated passengers:
- Disruptive behavior: It is likely a violation of TOR’s code of conduct to be disruptive or abusive on the bus.
- Impairment: You may not be allowed to board if you are so intoxicated you cannot walk or stand properly, as a driver has discretion to ensure safety.
- Safety risk: Being excessively drunk, leading to potential accidents, spills, or other safety issues, is grounds for a driver to take action, which could include refusing service or terminating the trip.
- Alcohol consumption: While specific rules vary, most transit systems, and many party bus services, prohibit the consumption of alcohol on board to prevent these issues.
Drivers’ Responsibility:
A bus driver’s primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of all passengers and the public, which requires pulling over to a safe location, assessing the situation, and calling for professional help if the individual is unresponsive. Do not attempt to physically engage with the passed-out individual, as the situation could escalate and risk your safety, and a safer alternative is to call 911 for medical assistance and police presence.
Immediate actions to take
- Pull over safely: Stop the bus at the first safe location, such as a well-lit, visible area, but not in traffic.
- Assess the situation: Observe if there are any immediate threats to the passenger or other passengers.
- Call for help immediately: Use the bus radio or your phone to contact emergency services (911) for assistance. You should also alert your company’s dispatch.
- Do not get involved: Avoid physical confrontation or attempting to move the individual yourself. The driver should remain in the driver’s seat or a safe distance from the individual to de-escalate any potential conflict.
Follow-up procedures
- Stay on the bus: Do not leave the bus unless it is absolutely necessary to do so for your own safety.
- Wait for authorities: Wait for police and paramedics to arrive and take over the situation.
- Report the incident: Follow your company’s procedures for reporting incidents and providing any necessary information to the authorities.
The driver in question not only appears to have violated the TOR regulations on intoxicated individuals, but also appear to have violated his responsibility under TOR policy when dealing with passed out individuals.