A man took a city bus on a joy ride Tuesday — with passengers still on board, say Hamilton police.

At about 9 p.m., a bus driver parked at the McNab Bus Terminal and left for a short break, police said in a news release Wednesday.

A 36-year-old man of no fixed address boarded the bus, sat down in the driver's seat and drove away, up to the Mountain.

He made several stops along the way, allowing passengers to get on and off.

" He even went as far as to deny someone looking to board with an expired bus pass," police said.

Police "strategically" followed the bus, "mindful of the potential risk to public safety," they said.

When it stopped on West 5th Street, the man was taken into custody without incident.

He was charged with theft over $5,000, possession over $5,000, obstruct police

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