Florida Shuttle Bus Cos. Secretly Monitored, Recorded Drivers’, Riders’ Conversations, Class Action Alleges

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Shuttle Service MIA, Inc. and First Transit, Inc. are staring down a proposed class action lawsuit filed by three plaintiffs who allege the companies violated Florida law by “monitoring, intercepting and recording” its drivers’ and/or riders’ private conversations without consent or warning.

The lawsuit says the defendants have contracted with the Miami-Dade Aviation Department to manage and operate the Employee and Public Remote Parking Lot Shuttle Bus Service at Miami International Airport. The service runs 24 hours per day, the suit adds, and caters to county, airline and other employees.

According to the 17-page lawsuit, two of the plaintiffs became aware that the defendants were “monitoring and recording all oral communications” on buses as far back as April 2014. Shortly thereafter, the suit goes on, the third plaintiff, too, became aware that bus drivers’ and riders’ conversations were being surreptitiously monitored. While the defendants advised riders and drivers that they were being monitored through video surveillance, the suit says, the companies’ signage on shuttle buses did not provide clear indication that audio recording was also being used.

Though the defendants did eventually update their signage to make clear that both video and audio monitoring are utilized on shuttle buses, no such warning was available between May 18, 2013, and roughly May 2014, according to the complaint.

Additionally at issue in the lawsuit is the fact that because the defendants contract with Miami Dade Transit, all recordings captured during the relevant time period are considered public records under Florida law.

Initially filed circuit court in February 2016, this lawsuit has recently been removed to Florida federal court.