A Cat With a Secret Routine
In 2009, a domestic cat named Casper captured worldwide attention when it was revealed that he was a regular bus commuter in Plymouth, Devon. Adopted in 2002 by Susan Finden, Casper’s independent and adventurous nature led him to develop an extraordinary daily habit that surprised everyone around him.
Discovering Casper’s Bus Journeys
For years, Casper would vanish from home for hours. In early 2009, Finden discovered why: he had been riding city buses. Drivers explained that Casper patiently queued with passengers at the bus stop opposite Finden’s house.
He would hop on, settle into his favorite seat, and complete an 11-mile (18 km) round trip to the city center and back. The drivers ensured that Casper always exited at his stop and never got off elsewhere, watching out for his safety as if he were one of their regular passengers.
Rising Fame and Public Adoration
Finden wrote a letter to The Plymouth Herald thanking the drivers and passengers for caring about Casper. The story quickly gained attention, first locally and then internationally. BBC News filmed him boarding a bus, and media outlets across the world featured his unique routine.
First Devon & Cornwall, the bus company, even placed a large picture of Casper on the side of several buses and jokingly announced that “in cat years he’s an OAP, so he’d get a free bus pass anyway.” Casper became a beloved figure, known far beyond Plymouth.
A Sudden Farewell and Lasting Impact
On 14 January 2010, Casper was hit by a taxi near his home. The driver did not stop, and Casper died before he could reach a veterinarian. British traffic laws do not require drivers to stop after hitting a cat, unlike for dogs.
Tributes poured in from around the world, and Finden received condolences from countries including Australia, Argentina, Indonesia, and the United States. Later that year, she published Casper the Commuting Cat, a book recounting his life, adventures, and rise to fame.
In Plymouth, a cat amazed the world by riding buses like a daily commuter.
Casper patiently queued at his stop, hopped on board, and enjoyed an 11-mile (18 km) round trip.
In 2009, his secret routine was revealed, making him an international sensation…🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/3yRO5XKCGy
— Fascinating True Stories (@FascinatingTrue) September 9, 2025