BOSTON (AP) – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick is supporting a new state transit authority ban on cell phones for bus and trolley drivers by calling on another state agency to do the same.
Patrick says he’s asked the Department of Utilities to ban drivers of trains, street cars and buses from carrying cell phones and other electronic devices while working. The department oversees the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, which banned the devices this week.
Drivers caught talking or text-messaging on cell phones will be discharged, and there will be a 10-day suspension for a first offense of carrying a phone. A second offense will be punished by a 30-day suspension with recommendation for firing.
Boston Carmen’s Union says the penalties are too severe.
A trolley crash that injured almost 50 people last week was blamed on a text-messaging driver.
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