PASSENGERS ON A Greyhound bus travelling from Memphis to St. Louis were stranded for about eight hours on Saturday after their driver abandoned the vehicle.

Reuters reports that the bus driver was not located by the company until Monday. A full investigation is being carried out and “disciplinary actions” will be taken.

The events of Saturday evening are still unclear but it seems the trouble began after the bus driver had a spat with a disruptive passenger who was asked to leave the bus.

Although the 65-year-old passenger in question complied with her request, the bus driver only continued on the road for another 40 miles before she pulled in again.

According to ABC News, she told passengers she was leaving and locked the bus door. However, local police arrived to the scene and ordered her back on the bus – which she did but only for a short time.

The 45-year-old drove until about midnight and then pulled in at a petrol station in Charleston, Missouri. The rural spot, about 150 miles south of her destination, was where she eventually abandoned the bus – for good.

A replacement driver was sent to rescue the passengers but did not arrive until eight hours later.

Greyhound said it would be offering full refunds to all the travellers affected by the driver’s actions.