FARGO, N.D. (Valley News Live) – Two MATBUS drivers from Fargo have been out of work for months after they said they’ve been exposed to some kind of harmful chemical or fume coming from their bus.
Zachary Harm and Mars Clemensons’ lives have been on hold since battling a months-long mystery illness. As a 4th generation bus driver, Zachary described his job as a passion of his, but recently, it’s been his biggest headache.
“One of my last shifts I’ve worked, I got to the last two hours of my shift, I turned on the vent above me, and I could immediately smell fumes of some sort,” he said.
With fumes blowing straight into his face, he knew something was wrong.
“Looking back now, I almost blacked out multiple times, and I started to fall asleep. I could have crashed the bus or gotten into some kind of incident.”
After voicing his concerns to MATBUS management, the same bus was put back into service. Within weeks, another driver got sick.
Mars has been driving with MATBUS for a year now, and said, “Two weeks later, I got the exact same bus. I think it’s the oldest one they have in service, and should be retired by now. I had a six hour shift, and by the time I got to my last route, I was smelling very, very strong diesel fumes.” They said another driver has also reported problems with this specific bus.
The two now struggle with constant headaches, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, among several other symptoms. When Zachary went into the doctor for the first time, he said he felt like his symptoms weren’t being taken seriously, despite his oxygen levels testing very low.
“The last time I was in for occupational health, the doctor looked at me and said the symptoms we’re experiencing are equivalent to somebody who’s been in a house fire and inhaled carbon monoxide poisoning,” Mars added.
They’re unable to work or drive, and are struggling with securing Worker’s Compensation or any kind of short-term disability. They claim MATBUS isn’t taking their concerns seriously, and are trying to ‘keep them quiet.’
“It’s been kept quiet for two months now. Our boss hasn’t even checked on us once,” the two said.
As of today, October 14, neither doctors or their employer has given them any clear answer as to what they might have inhaled, or what sickness they’re dealing with.
Valley News Live reached out to MATBUS, who provided this statement:
“We have been made aware of complaints of smell by the drivers, who are employed by Transdev, and the matter is being investigated.”
Unsure of when they can return to work, the two drivers are hoping something will be done, not only for them, but also for passengers who might be exposed to this in the future.
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