On Friday, June 7, the MBTA and the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council will sponsor the first MBTA Trolley Operators Appreciation Day.

The event will be held at the Newton Highlands T station on Walnut Street at Lincoln on both the inbound and outbound platforms of the station from 8-10:30 a.m., and again from 3-5 p.m. The Amalgamated Transit Union is donating funds for refreshments to be handed out to the trolley operators, and the MBTA is donating public relations services and signage for the event.

Over the past six months, the operators, boosted by a new training program implemented by the office of the director of light rail, have collectively reduced wheelchair boarding times from 15-20 minutes and more to less than 5 minutes, reducing mental strain and frustration on all of the passengers and the operators as well. The improvement represents just an intermediate step towards bringing the Newton Highlands T station into full ADA compliance.

Among those expected to attend during the event from the MBTA are Sean McCarthy, COO; Dr. Beverly Scott, the T’s new general manager; Bill McClellan, director of Light Rail Operations; Marie Trottier, assistant general manager, System-Wide Accessibility; Ted Timmons, deputy director of Light Rail Operations; and many others. Mayor Setti Warren and numerous other Newton officials have been invited as well.

Many of the merchants in Newton Highlands will be offering discounts to all MBTA employees on that day. A valid MBTA identification will be required in order to get the discount at each store. Merchants may have their own limitations on what is covered.

The following merchants will be taking part:

• Blossoms, 37 Lincoln St.
• Bread & Chocolate Bakery Café, 4 Hartford St. at Lincoln
• Evesso Coffee, 15 Lincoln St.
• Frame Studio, 1178 Walnut St.
• Indalo Gallery, 6 Lincoln St.
• Indulge!, 16 Lincoln St.
• Limited Editions, 1176 Walnut St.
• O’Hara’s, 1185 Walnut St.
• Walnut Grill, 1203 Walnut St.
• Walnut Market, 20 Lincoln St.

This event is open to all. Volunteers are needed to hand out refreshments to the operators. For more information, please contact Robert Solomon at newtonaccessibility@gmail.com.