Boston agency suspends 1st driver for carrying cell phone after post-crash ban

Boston agency suspends driver over cell phone

BOSTON — The Boston area’s transportation agency has suspended its first driver for violating a new cell phone ban.

Spokesman Joe Pesaturo (pes-AH’-tuhr-oh) says a 35-year-old driver was suspended last week. He says the man pulled a headset from his bag as he spoke with a supervisor after getting off a train last week.

The motorman later acknowledged having a phone that pairs wirelessly with the device inside his bag. The man said the device was off.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority implemented the ban after a May trolley crash that injured nearly 50 people. It was allegedly caused by a driver who was text-messaging.