By Chris Cassidy

Current T employees — who racked up 2.2 million free rides last year — also could be forced to surrender their seats under proposed new rules if they are not performing transit business.

“The MBTA’s losing money, you’re talking about fares being increased, and here’s a situation where you have employees and retirees of the MBTA with a wink, a nod and a pass riding commuter rail lines and subway lines for free,” said state Rep. Steven Howitt (R-Seekonk).

Flashing a special retiree pass, the former MBTA workers took 137,099 free trips from July 2010 to June 2011, according to MBTA figures.

Current employees, who also have the free passes, took 2.2 million free trips during the same period. Many employees use the passes in the performance of their duties, but they can still ride for free when they’re off the clock. So, too, can members of the MBTA board and its retirement board.

The state’s Joint Committee on Transportation this morning will take up Howitt’s bill, which calls for eliminating the free rides, except for employees performing official business.

The move comes as the T faces a $160 million budget shortfall for the next fiscal year.

Howitt told the Herald the free passes are being abused, with some being loaned to family members.

“When they worked for the MBTA, they got their pay and benefits, why should they have an additional benefit that no other state employee apparently has?” Howitt asked.

The MBTA unions, however, plan to put up a fight, urging lawmakers that if they want to save money they should take a look in the mirror.

“If Mr. Howitt really wants to do something symbolic, he can start paying for his own parking every day rather than accept a parking spot at the State House paid for by Massachusetts taxpayers,” said John Lee, the president of the Boston Carmen’s union, ATU Local 589.

Lee said the bill is “political symbolism,” not a financial solution.

“Targeting a portion of the bargaining process after the fact, rather than addressing the massive debt that the Legislature saddled the MBTA with, shows a lack of understanding of the financial situation facing the MBTA,” said Lee.

MBTA spokesman Joe Pesaturo denies the program is a “perk,” but rather a negotiated provision in MBTA labor agreements with 16 collective bargaining units. He noted the free rides amount to less than 1 percent of the 380 million trips taken by all MBTA riders last year.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1367830