MWRTA Offers Bonuses As Driver Shortage Cuts Into Service

FRAMINGHAM, MA — Amid a bus driver shortage affecting transit systems across the state and nation, the MetroWest Regional Transit Authority (MWRTA) is offering sign-on bonuses to attract new drivers.

Beginning Monday, MWRTA reduced service along Route 4, which connects downtown Framingham to Shoppers World, the Natick Mall and the MathWorks campus, citing the driver shortage. The route will resume regular service when the system is able to add more drivers.

Kiessling Transit, MWRTA's service contractor, is now offering $1,000 signing bonuses to new drivers, plus hourly pay starting at $19.38 per hour.

Nearby, the MBTA and the Worcester Regional Transit Authority (WRTA) have also had to reduce service hours due to the bus driver shortage.

"Due to a severe lack of available bus drivers that is impacting transit agencies throughout Massachusetts and the country, some WRTA routes may miss their scheduled trips," WRTA warned in a Dec. 9 tweet.