A man is in custody after he allegedly sexually assaulted a bus driver while she was driving east along Lougheed Highway last week.

According to transit police the suspect, Mohammed Sahib, allegedly first harassed and then groped the driver between the legs.

The Coast Mountain driver fended off the suspect, pushed the alarm, and continued to the Production Way SkyTrain Station.

The suspect then left the bus and boarded the train. He was later apprehended at Moody Station.

Doug LePard, chief of the transit police, said the driver deserves credit for her presence of mind in an extremely difficult situation.

"By calmly alerting the communications centre and maintaining control of her multi-ton vehicle she ensured the safety of her passengers, pedestrians and other motorists," he said.

Sahib, who is known to police, was also arrested on an existing warrant for theft under $500. He will next appear in Vancouver Provincial Court Jan. 30.