MBTA workers could lose free rides

[The Northerner]

BOSTON — Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority employees could be paying to ride the buses and subway cars under a proposal being considering by state lawmakers.

The Legislature's Joint Committee on Transportation heard testimony on a bill on Thursday that would prohibit MBTA workers and retirees from taking rides free of charge on the T subway cars and buses for personal travel, as they have for decades.

The proposal comes as the agency faces a $161 million deficit in its operating budget and officials search for new ways to boost revenues, such as selling advertising on its website and licensing T merchandize and clothing, to avoid fare hikes.

The employee pass is part of each employee's wages and benefits package negotiated with the MBTA. The agency has labor agreements with 16 unions, and the bonus of free rides does not come without a cost to employees in other areas, union leaders say.

"This pass code for members is something that we have fought for in our collective bargaining process and given up on wages and benefits in the past to maintain this program," testified James O'Brien, vice president of the Boston Carmen's Union, the T's largest union. The agency and unions are in the process of negotiating contracts.

Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2011/09/22/mbta_workers_could_lose_free_rides