BC Transit has launched an internal investigation after a passenger in Saanich complained that a bus driver was using an e-reader while behind the wheel.

Brent D'Argis was travelling on a BC Transit bus that was headed toward downtown Victoria on Thursday afternoon. He said he was standing near the front of the bus waiting to get off at his stop when he spotted the device.

"I noticed out of the corner of my eye that the bus driver had something mounted to his dash beside the steering wheel," he said.

"It was an e-reader that was turned on that had a book displayed on it and he was reading it."

D'Argis took a photo and reported the incident to BC Transit. The agency confirmed the matter is under investigation.

"BC Transit has received a complaint and, as we do with all complaints, we are following up with an internal investigation," said communications manager Jonathon Dyck.

"BC Transit operators and staff are expected to obey the Motor Vehicle Act."

Motor Vehicle Act applies

Bus drivers do not have any exemptions when it comes to distracted driving rules under B.C.'s Motor Vehicle Act, said Ben Williams, president of Unifor Local 333, which represents BC Transit drivers.

"Distracted driving is a large concern for us," he said.

"We try to do everything we can to limit the distractions that operators would come across besides the day-to-day situations that they are going to be put in, which are already distracting enough."

Saanich Police are also looking into the incident.

D'Argis said he was glad to hear authorities are investigating.

"Distracted driving, cellphone use while driving, any sort of electronic use causes accidents," he said.

Dyck declined to comment on whether the driver involved remains on the job during the investigation. He said the results of the BC Transit investigation will not be released to the public.