EDMONTON -- A city bus driver is being commended for fighting off an out-of-control passenger who tried to commandeer a moving bus near West Edmonton Mall.

A 22-year-old man has been charged in Monday night’s bizarre bus caper — the latest in a disturbing series of violent incidents on and around buses in recent months.

“Kudos to the operator for pulling that bus over and securing it,” said Stu Litwinowich, president of the local transit union. “It’s a 19-metric-tonne lethal weapon if it’s in the hands of somebody else.”

The bus driver was unhurt and was back at work Tuesday, said ETS spokeswoman Patricia Dixon.

Cops were called shortly before 6:30 p.m. Monday to a report of a disturbance on an ETS bus at the West Edmonton Mall transit terminal, said Edmonton police spokeswoman Patrycia Thenu.

Officers arrived to find the bus parked. Three people had fled, but two male suspects were collared in the mall a short time later.

Cops believe a woman was also involved, but she couldn’t be located.

Investigators believe a male passenger tried to take control of the bus from the bus driver while the vehicle was moving at a slow speed, Thenu said. The driver managed to push the passenger off the bus, after which he was threatened, Thenu added.

“We commend the bus driver for remaining in control of the bus and keeping the bus patrons safe,” said city police Insp. Shane Loxterkamp of west division.

Litwinowich said he was told the incident started when the passenger tried to steal another passenger’s iPod.

The incident comes 11 days after ETS vowed to beef up security and take a zero-tolerance approach to troublemakers. On Jan. 28, transit officials announced that uniformed peace officers would be riding buses more often in an attempt to curb ongoing violence.

“Enough of this baloney. We’re fed up and we’re going to act on it,” Litwinowich said Tuesday.

Samson Joel Auger, 22, has been charged with mischief and uttering threats.

Auger, who was wanted on outstanding warrants, remains in custody.

Meanwhile, a man has been arrested for fighting a bus driver on the platform at the Millgate transit centre in Mill Woods.

Cops were called around 4:30 p.m. to 86 Street and Whitemud Drive. What started as an argument turned into a fight, leaving the driver and the suspect with minor injuries. Police continue to investigate.

Last week, a 16-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl were charged after a random attack on a downtown LRT platform that left one man with a stab wound to his chest and a transit security officer with minor injuries to his face. The violence on Feb. 2 at the Corona LRT station near 107 Street and Jasper Avenue began when two teens asked three men for train fare and then one of the young assailants pulled a knife.

Last month saw at least two bus drivers assaulted and four passengers alleging they were sexually assaulted.

In December, at least two drivers were attacked, including Tom Bregg, who was repeatedly kicked in the face on the north side. He remains in hospital.

Gary Edwin Mattson, 24, has been charged with attempted murder, aggravated assault and assaulting a peace officer in the attack involving Bregg.