D.C. Metro Costs For Overtime Are Up 56% Since 2002

The Washington Post reports:

Every weekday, Metro pays overtime to a group of bus drivers whose regular shifts include being on standby in case of accidents or other emergencies. Many workers at the transit agency are able to double their salaries with overtime. Metro retirees enjoy annual pension payments that are sometimes higher than their on-the-job salaries because overtime is included in their benefit calculations.

Station managers and bus and train operators get a special bonus: Their vacation pay includes overtime.


During the past five years, the amount of overtime that Metro paid bus drivers, train operators and other key personnel has increased by about 56 percent, topping out at nearly $91 million last year, transit agency records show. That was more than 14 percent of the agency's total payroll.

The trend has been a boon for workers: Last year, 139 operators, station managers, mechanics and other hourly wage earners took home paychecks of $110,000, quadruple the number who did so in 2004.

No word yet from liberals who say government workers are overpaid.