From the NY Post:A cash-filled clause in their union contract has some city bus drivers singing in the rain.
An arcane rule in the contract between the MTA and TWU Local 100 mandates that five bus drivers be added to the Rockaway Beach-bound Q53 route every weekend in July and August -- rain or shine -- sources said.
That's just to keep them on duty in case they are needed for extra buses to transport beachgoers, sources said.
So it could be pouring rain, a lightning storm, even hurricane winds -- and the drivers are still paid to "work," although they actually would be sitting in a room at the La Guardia Depot because they wouldn't be needed, one source said.
The drivers are guaranteed at least three hours of time-and-a-half overtime for the job, whether they are used or not.
"This type of work rule makes it very difficult to utilize our employees and taxpayer dollars as efficiently as possible," said MTA spokesman Jeremy Soffin.
The provision was actually negotiated before the MTA took over the line from a private group called Triboro Coach Corp. in 2006.
11 comments:
They always demonize the little guy. What about all the inside people that are getting paid 80k and up?How about an audit of what all the analyts,gm's,agm's managers,directors,g supt's,asst.supt's,....the list goes on.............
If you ever took this bus back from the beach on some of the hottest days of the year, you know why these employees are needed to be on standby. On these days - between 4pm-6pm and times during downpours etc, the lines of people stretch the entire length of 116th street. Multiple buses are needed to haul these folks back to 63rd street and this is the only means available to get it done. I wish the Triboro Lines and employee were back running the buses in Queens - the MTA really mucked over that takeover and service - it's never on time and runs have drastically cut services.
I miss Triboro Coach and the others, they always had lower fares than MTA buses and were reliable.
They had smaller budgets and aging bus fleets but they managed to get things done unlike the MTA and its massive waste.
The Rikers Bus is another money waster, every 15 minutes with maybe 3 people on board.
So are the Q54 and the Q45 re-routings
The point of the article was to show how ridiculous it is that the MTA is not allowed to THINK b/c of these stupid rules by the unions. They aren't suggesting cutting it altogether, you moron.
and an audit would be a good idea. those upper levels shouldn't be making that much either. That doesn't absolve this messed up rule though.
**MTA** is a money waster
I've seen the Q53 filled to capacity on some summer days. It provides an express one-seat ride from Rockaway to Rego Park, replacing a certain LIRR line that remains abandoned.
This bus is overcrowded every single day of the summer, even on the rainy days, because of these beach people. It gets to the point where neighborhood residents have to wait for 3 or 4 buses to pass before we can even board and stand from Beach 116 Street to 61 Street in Woodside. More buses and drivers are absolutely needed.
wake up man, you're worried about $200 city's gona lose when people at the top are stealing 200 million each? if you really wanna make a difference look into finances of ceo's, and mta ceo's too. 2.50 a ride and they're broke? bull.
all i can say is that fucking mta service sucks!!
when i need a bus have to wait 20 40 minutes and when i wait for the 1:00 oclock bus doesnt comes and at 1;20 two buses comes at same time,,one behind the other!! they have 3- 4 workers on a fucking station cleaning wtf sometimes you see a lot of garbage..fucking mta asking for more money..now its 2.50
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