Boston Globe | Editorial | February 13, 2015

Commuters waited Wednesday in a line that snaked from the parking lot through the Wollaston station to Newport Avenue for shuttle buses to the JFK/UMass station. (Photo by PAT GREENHOUSE/GLOBE STAFF)

The Boston Carmen’s Union earned a shoutout Thursday when it agreed to let the MBTA hire Peter Pan buses to shuttle passengers between Red Line stations that have been hit by weather-related service disruptions.

Although running the 30 privately operated buses could be considered outsourcing — something normally anathema to the union — the decision took into account the practical reality: the T simply doesn’t have enough buses to meet demand from stranded Red Line passengers while also operating its normal bus routes. That shortage has resulted in long lines for shuttles at Red Line stations, which have only added to commuters’ misery.

The transit union has a long history of representing its members aggressively, even to the point of harming the public interest, but hints at a more public-spirited attitude should be applauded. In explaining its actions to members, the union leadership acknowledged that some members might be concerned about the Peter Pan buses, but said it was cooperating “with an eye toward fostering a better public perception and opinion of Local 589 members and MBTA employees in the eyes of our daily riders.” It was a smart move.