A DPS trooper is off his patrol job after an incident on a Capital Metro bus, possibly involving college students.
When the bars close in Downtown Austin, thousands of college students make their way to Capital Metro buses specially created to get them home safely.
Some say it is a bumpy ride.
"Everyone's drunk. People are throwing up. It's pretty crazy,” UT student Jade Wylie said.
"It's a lot to handle your first time. I remember my first time on it my freshman year. I was literally scared for my life,” said UT student Morgan Williams.
There are three E-bus routes, as they're called, that cart students and anyone willing to pay a dollar from West Campus and Riverside to and from the entertainment district.
At 3 a.m. on Oct. 3, something happened inside one of the buses that cost Trooper Don MacFarlane to temporarily lose his patrol assignment.
According to DPS the incident happened at 15th and Trinity. The E-bus does not drop off or pick up students at this location. The ordeal either happened en route or while the bus was stopped at the light.
MacFarlane, 54, was assigned to monitor the Capitol grounds in his patrol car. He was on duty at the time and in uniform.
DPS will not give any other details.
Capital Metro Spokesperson Misty Whited says she learned of the event Wednesday morning.
"We've handed over all of the information that we have, the video, any other documents that we have related to the incident,” she said.
Capital Metro employs off duty APD officers on weekends. Whited says none were alerted and a police report was never filed.
The office of the inspector general is investigating. MacFarlane will remain on the job, but his patrol duties are on hold until the investigation is complete.
McFarlane has been employed by DPS since 2000.
