The bus at the centre of a security alert in Derry had earlier had a device placed on it in the Ballymagroarty area and its driver told to take it to police headquarters in the city.
The abandoned bus on Northland Road.
However, after driving less than a mile on route to Strand Road police station the driver pulled the vehicle into a bus stop on Northland Road before abandoning it and alerting police, Sinn Fein Councillor Eric McGinley said.
It is understood the driver was not injured in the incident but was badly shaken by the ordeal.
The Translink vehicle is parked at a bus stop adjacent to a business park.
A number of businesses were forced to close and hundreds of staff evacuated as a result of the alert which began after 6.00pm.
Around 300 staff at the nearby First Source call centre were evacuated and number of businesses in a retail park were also forced to shut including a pharmacy offering a late night service.
A convenience store and a fast food takeaway were also evacuated.
A number of residents in the Springvale Park and Foyle Springs areas were also told to leave their homes.
The Northland Road has been closed between Branch Roundabout and Springtown Road and police are advising motorists to avoid the area.
The incident has been condemned as “unacceptable” by SLDP councillor for the area, John Boyle.
Cllr Boyle, who visited the scene, said the alert was “very distressing” for residents.
He said anyone with information should contact the PSNI.
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