MBTA trolley operator in crash held second full-time job with Boston Housing Authority

By Eric Moskowitz, Globe Staff

The Green Line operator fired after last week’s crash at Boylston Street Station held two full-time jobs at once, working overnights at the Boston Housing Authority and driving for the MBTA by day, records show.

A Housing Authority spokeswoman identified the man today as James Marshall, a current employee who has been a public safety dispatcher for the authority for 26 years.

A T employee with knowledge of the proceedings confirmed that James E. Marshall was the driver fired Wednesday for last week’s crash, which officials blamed on fatigue.

Lydia Agro, spokeswoman for the Boston Housing Authority, said Marshall works a “four-and-two schedule,” meaning he works four consecutive overnights on the midnight-to-8 a.m. shift, takes two days off, and then works four more.

“He is currently a BHA employee,”Agro said. “He has been a public safety dispatcher without incident or suspension for 26 years.”

MBTA officials have not identified the driver beyond saying that he is a 46-year-old hired by the T in 2006. But a T employee who was not authorized to speak confirmed that the driver was Marshall.

Marshall earned $63,398 plus benefits from the T last year. His current salary at the Boston Housing Authority is $40,136.50, Agro said.

A woman who answered the phone at a number associated with Marshall’s home address declined to comment, saying only, “How did you get this number? This is a nonpublished number. Thank you for calling, good-bye.”