This story doesn't involve Paris Hilton, though you can be forgiven for thinking that it could have — or even wishing that it did.

From the local beat in Portland, Oregon comes the story of two girls busted for bussing on the bus ... and the subsequent apology by the TriMet transit authority for the bus driver's actions. The incident happened last week. Portland news outlet KATU reports:

PORTLAND, Ore. - Two gay teen girls who say they were kicked off a TriMet bus for being affectionate with each other are considering lodging a complaint against the driver of the bus.

Maika Rich and Jocelyn O'Neal, both 14, admit they were kissing while on the No. 12 bus traveling on Barbur Boulevard at about 5 p.m. on June 8. They were headed to the Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center.

Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Center? We're definitely not in Kansas. Anyway, there they were, minding their own business, when:

They say a female passenger complained to the driver about the kissing and that the driver told them to "knock it off" and also called them "sickos."

Rich says she then gave O'Neal a hug because it appeared she was upset about the exchange. They say at that point the driver stopped the bus and ordered them off.

The girls say they are used to being picked on at school but felt defenseless against an adult.

Used to being picked on at school? That's why we need Sexual Minority Youth Recreation Centers. Which is kind of a sad commentary in itself, if you think about it. Can't we all just get along?

Not, apparently, on the  No.  12 bus.

Maika Rich's mother, Ronnda Zezula, says she doesn't think the driver would have treated two gay adults or a heterosexual couple in the same manner. ("Girls say driver kicked them off bus for kissing," KATU.com)

Mom may have a point. But, then again, maybe not. A quick kiss on the bus? Who cares? On the other hand if two people of any age or gender combination are making out on a public bus that could — not necessarily, but could — be annoying to other passengers. And isn't really appropriate. Even in Portland. The reports don't make clear the extent of the kissing. So I'll be fair-minded and say a passenger complaining wasn't automatically out of line. The driver telling them to knock if off ... assuming he would have said the same to a boy and a girl or two adults, still fair. We can reserve judgment up until ...

Calling the girls sickos and tossing them off the bus ... yeah, that was handled poorly. And does seem to reveal a certain bias unbecoming in a public transit system presumably open to all citizens of the fair city of Portland. (For more on which, see The Portland Mercury's collection of message board postings by Portland bus drivers)

Anyway, complaint, news coverage, talk of a lawsuit, yadda, yadda, yadda. What does TriMet have to say after looking into this?  From the TriMet website:

June 20, 2007

Operator faces discipline in incident involving 14-year old girls

TriMet announced that a 64-year old male operator will face disciplinary action for an incident occurring on June 8, 2007 on Line 12-Barbur Blvd involving two 14-year old girls. The discipline stems from the operator violating several agency procedures and policies while driving a bus. The operator has worked for TriMet for 11 years.

At around 5 p.m. a rider complained to the operator that two riders were kissing on the bus. The operator approached them and later asked them to leave the bus. The riders' actions did not warrant being removed from the bus, and TriMet policy requires operators to call for assistance before removing a minor off the bus.

"TriMet sincerely apologizes to the girls and their families for this incident. Removing the girls from the bus was not consistent with our policy. I want to reiterate that we welcome all riders on our system," said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen.

TriMet does not release details of the disciplinary proceedings or the final results of the proceedings, as protected by public records law. TriMet is not releasing the operator's name per standard procedure when an employee is involved in a complaint.

Apology by press release ... fair enough, it's not like the bus ran over anybody. General Manager Fred Hansen is quoted directly ... not the impersonal corporate voice. He makes clear that TriMet has looked into the incident, found that its policies were not adhered to and that the offending (and offended, we can surmise) bus driver will be disciplined for his action. And, of course, he apologizes to the girls and their families and invites everyone to ride the bus. Hooray!

A run of the mill "please don't sue us" apology.

DATE OF APOLOGY: June 20, 2007
APOLOGIZER: TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen
APOLOGIZEE: 2 young bus passengers and their families
FOR: Improper ejection of minors from the bus.