MBTA announces safety plan, ‘aggressive’ hiring campaign, offers $7,500 sign-on bonus for positions

BOSTON — The MBTA is boosting its sign-on bonus to $7,500 for applicants vying for several positions as part of its “aggressive” hiring campaign as it aims to address staffing issues, the agency announced Monday.

Positions eligible to receive the $7,500 sign-on bonus have been expanded to include bus operators, rail repairers, track laborers, streetcar operators, subway train operators, service technicians, and fuelers.

Previously, the MBTA’s recruitment efforts included a $4,500 sign-on bonus for new bus operators only.

Also Monday, the MBTA today announced the release of its 3-Year Safety Improvement Plan, which aims to to “strengthen its safety culture through continuous improvement.”

“The 3-Year Safety Improvement Plan was produced in response to an act of the Legislature and incorporates a number of safety-related initiatives related to all modes of transportation operated by the MBTA,” the agency said in a statement. “The plan is centered on four categories: workforce; data, system, and communications; rules, policies, and procedures; and quality management. In each category and across all modes, the plan lays out a series of objectives that will result in improved service while prioritizing the safety of MBTA customers, employees, and contractors at all times.”

With a renewed focus on safety, the MBTA aims to also boost its staffing levels with the increased sign-on bonuses.

The MBTA said it has “streamlined and fast-tracked its hiring process” and has doubled the size of its HR recruiting team.

“The MBTA has also gone to many online and in-person career fairs across the region; collaborated with local partners like education centers, MassHire, and more regarding identifying eligible candidates; and continues to brainstorm innovative ideas to promote the MBTA’s many benefits and incentives,” the agency said.

Prospective candidates may visit mbta.com/careers for more information on open positions and to learn about the MBTA’s benefits and incentives. Several recruitment fairs are also planned:

· MBTA Recruitment Event:

o In person on April 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Jubilee Christian Church, 1500 Blue Hill Ave., Mattapan.

· UMass Dartmouth Career Fair:

o In person on April 18 from Noon to 3 p.m. at UMass Dartmouth, 285 Old Westport Road, Dartmouth.

· MBTA Recruitment Event:

o In person on April 22 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Wollaston Station Parking Lot, 90 Woodbine St., Quincy.

· MBTA Recruitment Event:

o In person on April 29 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Shore Community College - Lynn Campus, 750 Washington St., Lynn.

· Latino Career Expo:

o In person on May 4 from 1 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at the Marriott Courtyard Boston Downtown, 275 Tremont St., Boston.

· MBTA Recruitment Event:

o In person on May 6 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Wonderland Station Parking Lot, 1234 North Shore Road, East Revere.

· National Aviation Academy Career Fair Career Fair:

o In person on July 13 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Aviation Academy, 130 Baker Avenue Extension, Concord.

· National Aviation Academy Career Fair Career Fair:

o In person on Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the National Aviation Academy, 130 Baker Avenue Extension, Concord.

The MBTA nearly doubled the number of new hires in the first half of Fiscal Year 2023, with 676 hires, when compared to the same period in Fiscal Year 2022, with 344 hires.

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