MARTA employees to get $3,500 pandemic bonus

MARTA plans to pay front-line and unionized employees an extra $3,500 for working through the coronavirus pandemic. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

MARTA plans to pay front-line and unionized employees an extra $3,500 for working through the coronavirus pandemic. (Hyosub Shin / Hyosub.Shin@ajc.com)

MARTA plans to pay front-line and unionized employees an extra $3,500 for working through the coronavirus pandemic.

The one-time payment would go to bus and rail operators, mechanics and supervisors and members of the MARTA Police Department with the rank of major and below. The $13 million cost would come from budget surpluses that resulted from higher-than-expected sales tax revenue, lower-than-expected costs and federal pandemic relief.

“I am extremely grateful to our frontline employees who have carried us through this pandemic,” said MARTA CEO Jeffrey Parker. “These are people who could not work from home, who showed up every day to keep the buses and trains running and protect our customers, all while considering the health risks to themselves and their families.”

It’s the second round of bonuses for MARTA employees during the pandemic. Last April the agency announced $500 “hero bonuses” for workers.

The MARTA Board of Directors will consider approving the latest payment on May 13. If the board approves it, employees will receive the payments on May 27.