Chatty bus drivers better put down their phone, or risk having to hang up their uniforms.

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says a crackdown is in the works for the new year – with tougher penalties for drivers talking or texting during their run.

Under the zero-tolerance policy, a driver’s first offense could cost them their job. The paper says drivers currently can rack up several violations and even then would only be facing a suspension.

New York City Transit says over the past two years 650 cell phone violations were handed out to bus drivers.

However, those violations only led to the firing of 11 drivers.

The new policy is set to go into effect January 12th, although it would likely face a challenge from the driver’s union.

(Source: NY1)