Bus Operator Benefits

We offer a generous pension plan and comprehensive benefits package for bus operators.

Pension (Retirement Fund)

The MBTA retirement fund is a private trust with a mission to provide retirement benefits for transit workers and other employees of the MBTA. Here's how it works:

Once you have at least 10 years of creditable service and have reached the age of 55, you are eligible to retire with an immediate retirement allowance. Normal retirement is at age 65.

We calculate your retirement allowance using the following formula:

The three-year average (3YA) of your highest three years of pensionable earnings
Multiplied by your age multiplier
Multiplied by your years and months of creditable service

See a pension example

Amelia joined the MBTA retirement fund in July 2015 at 43 years old. Her 3YA will be $100,000 when she retires.

Amelia will be 54 in November 2025 and will have completed 10 years of creditable service. Since she is under the age of 55, she has the option to defer her vested retirement until she reaches 65.

If she retires at 55, her multiplier will be 1.75%:

10 x 1.75% = 17.5% of her 3YA ($100,000)
17.5% x $100,000 = $17,500 annually or $1,458.33 monthly

If she stays on until 65, she will have completed 21 years of creditable service:

21 x 2.46% = 51.66% of her 3YA ($100,000)
51.66% x $100,000 = $51,660 annually or $4,305 monthly

Amelia joined the MBTA retirement fund in July 2015 at 43 years old. Her 3YA will be $100,000 when she retires.

Amelia will be 54 in November 2025 and will have completed 10 years of creditable service. Since she is under the age of 55, she has the option to defer her vested retirement until she reaches 65.

If she retires at 55, her multiplier will be 1.75%:

10 x 1.75% = 17.5% of her 3YA ($100,000)
17.5% x $100,000 = $17,500 annually or $1,458.33 monthly

If she stays on until 65, she will have completed 21 years of creditable service:

21 x 2.46% = 51.66% of her 3YA ($100,000)
51.66% x $100,000 = $51,660 annually or $4,305 monthly

For more pension information, visit the MBTA Retirement Fund.

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Employees can participate in various health programs through the Group Insurance Commission (GIC). You'll be responsible for paying a small portion (20% or 25% depending on your hire date) of the monthly cost for health insurance. Coverage starts 60 days after your hire date.

If you decide to participate in the Transit Employees' Health and Welfare Plan, you can also enroll in dental and vision plans, with a portion of the monthly contribution for dental (43%) and vision (75%) being covered by you.

Time Off/Leave

Vacation

The longer you are employed, the more vacation you accrue.

One week of vacation after one year of service and 180 days worked.
Up to 6 weeks of vacation after 31 years of service and 180 days worked.

The longer you are employed, the more vacation you accrue.

One week of vacation after one year of service and 180 days worked.
Up to 6 weeks of vacation after 31 years of service and 180 days worked.

Personal days

You are entitled to two paid personal leave days per calendar year. However, new bus operators may receive one or no personal days during the year they were hired, depending on their hire date.

If you're hired between July 1 and October 1, you'll receive one day of paid personal leave for that year.
If you're hired after October 1, you won't receive any paid personal leave until the following calendar year.
You are entitled to two paid personal days each full calendar year after being hired.

You are entitled to two paid personal leave days per calendar year. However, new bus operators may receive one or no personal days during the year they were hired, depending on their hire date.

If you're hired between July 1 and October 1, you'll receive one day of paid personal leave for that year.
If you're hired after October 1, you won't receive any paid personal leave until the following calendar year.
You are entitled to two paid personal days each full calendar year after being hired.

Sick leave

You will accrue one hour of sick time for every 30 hours actually worked. Sick time does not accrue during vacation or any other time off. The maximum amount of sick time you can accrue and use each year is 40 hours.

On your one-year anniversary, you will earn an additional 12 sick days.

Parental leave

Eligible bus operators are entitled to 10 days of paid parental leave for the birth, adoption, or foster care placement of a child.

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)

Employees may be entitled to up to 12 weeks of unpaid, job protected FMLA leave in a rolling twelve-month period for certain family and medical reasons.

Small Necessities Leave Act (SNLA)

Provides up to 24 hours of unpaid, job-protected leave per 12-month period for certain family obligations in addition to any applicable leave under FMLA.

Long-term disability insurance

Employees can opt for long-term disability that provides 55% income replacement due to disability. This benefit is fully employee-paid through payroll deductions.

Covered CDL Costs

As of September 2022, a commercial driver's license (CDL) is no longer required to apply for a bus operator position. The MBTA will cover the cost of obtaining your CDL as a part of your training, an up to $5,200 value.

Sign-On Bonus

All newly hired bus operators are eligible to receive a sign-on bonus of up to $7,500.

Bonuses are paid out in two installments:

Receive $4,500 after completing 90 days of service.*
Receive $3,000 after one year of service.*

* Based on creditable service and good standing

Flexible Spending Accounts

The GIC's Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) help you save money on out-of-pocket health care costs, dependent care expenses, or both. Participating in an FSA helps you save on federal and state taxes.

Life Insurance

We offer basic life insurance of $5,000. Optional life insurance up to eight times your annual salary and additional insurance through the Transit Employees' Health and Welfare Plan are also available through employee payroll deductions.

Commuter Choice Assistance Program

The Commuter Choice Assistance Program helps you save money on work-related transportation and parking expenses. Participating in the plan helps you save on federal and state taxes.

Ride the T for Free

Employees can use their MBTA badge to ride the T for free. That includes all modes: subway, bus, Commuter Rail, ferry, and paratransit (The RIDE).

Childcare

The MBTA provides employees with discounted childcare programs at a local center in downtown Boston. The center serves infants to pre-kindergarten.

Voluntary Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan

The voluntary Massachusetts deferred compensation SMART Plan allows for tax-deferred contributions to a voluntary savings plan.

Tuition Reimbursement

After one year of service, full-time employees can receive up to $10,000 per year in tuition reimbursement.

Referral Bonus

After you start your full-time bus operator position, get paid up to $2,000 when you refer a friend or family member for eligible positions at the T.

Referral bonuses are paid out in two installments:

Receive $500 after your referral completes 120 days of service.*
Receive $1,500 on your referral's one-year anniversary with the MBTA.*

* Based on creditable service and good standing

Employee Discounts

MBTA employees receive discounts at restaurants, gyms, amusement parks, hotels, comedy shows, AAA, and more.

Contact Us

For more information on benefits, contact the MBTA Benefits Office at 617-222-3244, or email benefits@mbta.com.

Get Started as an MBTA Bus Operator

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Candidates could receive a sign-on bonus of up to $7,500.

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Most popular fares

Information & Support

Emergency Contacts

Report a Railroad Crossing Gate Issue

Pension (Retirement Fund)

Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

Time Off/Leave

Covered CDL Costs

Sign-On Bonus

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life Insurance

Commuter Choice Assistance Program

Ride the T for Free

Childcare

Voluntary Massachusetts Deferred Compensation SMART Plan

Tuition Reimbursement

Referral Bonus

Employee Discounts

Contact Us

Get Started as an MBTA Bus Operator

MBTA Careers

Get Started as an MBTA Bus Operator

MBTA Careers

Information & Support

Emergency Contacts

Report a Railroad Crossing Gate Issue