Top RTA driver appreciates overtime

Tom Hoskins doubled  his 2008 income by picking up hours on bus for disabled.

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By Lynn Hulsey, Staff Writer Updated 1:03 AM Wednesday, August 5, 2009

DAYTON — Greater Dayton Regional Transit Authority driver Tom Hoskins is a retired autoworker who doesn’t mind working long hours, which is how he came to earn the third-highest overtime at RTA last year.

“I didn’t work because I’m a money-hungry thing. I worked if they needed somebody to pick up handicapped people,” said Hoskins, whose $25,552 in overtime pay last year accounted for more than half his $51,035 annual income.

Hoskins spoke Tuesday, Aug. 4, after he received a quarterly award as top paratransit operator. He drives disabled people in a Project Mobility bus and said there was a lot of overtime available last year, so he agreed to work it so people could have a ride in a bus, rather than having to call a cab.

Hoskins, 61, said he retired from GM, was off a year and found it didn’t suit him.

“My wife understands,” said Hoskins, who has worked for RTA for three years. “I just don’t like to sit around. I like to stay busy. I enjoy my job.”

On Sunday, the Dayton Daily News reported that RTA bus drivers were paid as much as $98,701 last year, with 10 making more than $80,000. The highest earners’ salaries were boosted by a significant amount of overtime pay.

Executive Director Mark Donaghy said the total taxable income reported by the Dayton Daily News includes a variety of other payments that would not be reflected in the employee’s hourly rate. Those could include payment for overtime, buying earned time off or vacation time, waiving benefits, performance awards, lump-sum settlements or, in Donaghy’s case, a bonus.

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