MBTA fires operator in Boylston Station accident

BOSTON (WHDH) -- MBTA officials fired the operator of a Green Line subway trolley that slammed into another train last week, causing minor injuries to about three dozen people.

The 46-year-old driver has been fired after MBTA officials say he was “inattentive” to his job. Officials discovered the operator was working a second job from midnight to 8 a.m. on Nov. 29, and then reported to his MBTA job at 11 a.m. The accident occurred less than an hour later.

“This employee informed us that the MBTA was not his sole place of employment and that he had in fact worked an 8-hour shift at another job earlier that day from midnight to 8 a.m.,” said Jonathan Davis, acting MBTA general manager.

MBTA officials say the operator had that same schedule the day before as well. They say it’s unclear if he had fallen asleep or if he was not paying attention when he crashed.

MBTA officials say the driver had gone through a fatigue awareness program twice this year and was fully aware of his responsibilities. “T” officials say the driver was a full-time employee with benefits.

Davis said there is no specific rule prohibiting drivers from holding second jobs, but MBTA's policies require employees to have sufficient rest before coming to work.

“They obviously are aware that they need to be fit for duty when they come in. And there is self responsibility that’s required by all of our employees to make sure they’re fit to perform the duties that they’re assigned,” Davis said.

MBTA officials would not identify the operator or describe his second job.