A San Luis Obispo Regional Transit bus driver was arrested Aug. 22 on suspicion driving under the influence of alcohol on a route from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo.
According to the San Luis Obispo Police Department, at approximately 2:40 p.m., dispatch received a call from a passenger, reporting that the driver of the bus was driving erratically and was possibly under the influence of alcohol.
SLOPD officers responded to the SLO transit station at the intersection of Palm and Osos streets after the bus had finished its route, was parked, and all the passengers had exited. Officers then contacted driver John Farmer, 46, of Avila Beach.
According to a city press release, officers conducted a DUI investigation and arrested Farmer on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. The release failed to note, however, if Farmer was given a breathalyzer, or even a field sobriety test, nor what his blood alcohol content was eventually determined to be.
There was no accident, no damage to the bus, and no injuries reported.
“RTA takes this matter seriously and has a zero tolerance for alcohol and drug use by any safety sensitive employees as outlined in the RTA Drug and Alcohol Policy, Program and Procedures,” read an official statement by the RTA.
Farmer was booked in SLO County Jail. As of Aug. 23, Farmer was no longer listed in custody.
According to RTA, Farmer has been placed on administrative leave, and RTA said it will make a determination regarding his employment, as well as provide further information pending the results of their own investigation.
This article appears in Aug 25 – Sep 1, 2011.