Local News in Brief : Countywide : Passenger Fined $1,050 for Taking Wheel of Bus

A passenger who accepted a bus driver’s challenge and took the wheel of an Orange County Transit District bus was fined $1,O50 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor charge of unlawfully taking a vehicle.

James Biddle, 52, of Buena Park, drove the bus for 1 1/2 miles Oct. 19 after an argument with driver Kim Dale Miller. Biddle said that Miller had been making sudden stops and verbally abusing an elderly Latino passenger. When Biddle protested, the 36-year-old bus driver stopped the bus and stepped off, challenging Biddle to take over if he could do a better job. Biddle slid behind the wheel and continued along the La Palma Avenue route, making all the proper stops and collecting fares.

After a few minutes, police pulled the bus over and Biddle was cited for joy riding and operating a bus without the proper license.

Miller has been fired by the transit district for leaving the bus and for the problems involving the Latino passenger.

Biddle said he decided to plead guilty on Monday after a lawyer quoted a $1,500 fee to represent him and he learned that he could be fined up to $2,000 and sentenced to 2 years in jail if convicted.