The driver of a Peel TransHelp vehicle had a passenger on board when he was stopped by police in Brampton Aug. 25 and charged with impaired driving.

Friday (Sept. 1) afternoon, Peel Region officials confirmed there was one female passenger in the TransHelp van when the driver was arrested and charged by Peel police.

The passenger had to be transferred to another TransHelp bus and transported to her destination, according to a Peel Region spokesperson.

The driver facing charges in this incident is now on leave from the regional transportation service for disabled Peel residents.

In an email response to media questions about the arrest, the region said it is still investigating and unable to provide details at this time about how long the driver had been on duty and how many other passengers may have been serviced during his shift.

“The employee is currently on leave pending the region’s investigation,” the email said.

The region refused to divulge whether TransHelp imposed the leave or if the employee requested it.

Officials also said they could not discuss whether the driver is on a paid leave.

Citing privacy reasons, the region refused to reveal how long the employee has been with TransHelp and transporting clients.

The municipality did explain regional policy states that employees should not consume alcoholic beverages or be impaired by alcohol while at work or on regional premises.