TRANSIT
Bus Driver Who Touted Candidate Is Put on Leave
Metro Investigating Activities Profiled in Article, Issues Memo on Rules
Driver Sidney Davis was disciplined for promoting D.C. mayoral candidate Vincent B. Orange Sr. on his bus. "Nobody ever explained [the policy] to me," Davis says.
(By Michael Robinson Chavez -- The Washington Post)
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Tuesday, August 22, 2006
Metro officials placed driver Sidney Davis on administrative leave yesterday after his efforts to promote D.C. mayoral candidate Vincent B. Orange Sr. along his bus routes were profiled in a Washington Post article.
Davis said he received written notice of the disciplinary action yesterday, before he was scheduled to drive his afternoon shift. The letter said he will remain on administrative leave until a full investigation of his actions is completed.
"Nobody ever explained [the policy] to me," Davis said yesterday.
Before publication of the article in the newspaper, Davis had been told that Metro officials considered his actions in violation of the authority's policy regarding political activities.
Yesterday, Metro officials circulated a memo to all bus drivers to clarify the rules.
"It has recently been brought to our attention that some operators may be engaging customers in discussions regarding upcoming elections including issuing leaflets or handouts," said the memo from administrator Stephen A. Petruccelli. "This practice must cease immediately."
The letter cited Metro policy 7.9, paragraph 2.0, subparagraphs 2.1 and 2.7, which state that political activities by drivers must be done on personal time, not using Metro equipment.
