AN ASSESSMENT OF THE USE OF PART-TIME OPERATORS AT THE MASSACHUSETTS BAY TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

The impact of introducing part-time bus operators at the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) in Boston is evaluated and the likely impact of various future scenarios regarding the size and utilization of a part-time labor force at MBTA is analyzed. In January 1982 MBTA had no part-time operators; there are now 280, representing almost 19 percent of the surface-operator classification. Introduction of this number of part-time operators to provide the current level of service has resulted in an annual saving of more than $5 million through reduction in unproductive paid hours, spread penalties, and fringe benefits. However, three factors mitigate this financial benefit: higher accident rates, absenteeism, and turnover among the part-time operators compared with that among the full-time operators. Although there are clear opportunities to obtain further financial benefits from the introduction of more part-time operators, the high accident rate to date suggests that caution is appropriate in expanding their role. Strategies to improve productivity by using the existing complement of part-time operation are also discussed.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1984/961/961-004.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=AN+ASSESSMENT+OF+THE+USE+OF+PART-TIME+OPERATORS+AT+THE+MASSACHUSETTS+BAY+TRANSPORTATION+AUTHORITY&author=J.+Attanucci&author=N.+Wilson&author=D.+Vozzolo&publication_year=1984
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• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Transit Management and Performance. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Attanucci, John
  • Wilson, Nigel H M
  • Vozzolo, David
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 21-28
• Monograph Title: Transit performance evaluation and auditing
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 961
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Absenteeism; Assessments; Bus drivers; Crash rates; Labor agreements; Operating costs; Part time employees; Productivity
• Identifier Terms: Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority
• Geographic Terms: Massachusetts
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Finance; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Public Transportation; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391931
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309037174
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM