MBTA worker's photos raise money handling concerns, prompt suspensions

BROOKLINE, Mass. — Several MBTA employees are facing suspension, FOX25 has learned, after snapping and sharing photos of a money vault being loaded into a rental truck.

Workers confirm the photos were taken at the T’s Reservoir Station in Brookline. The pictures show two employees, including one wearing a “Brinks” uniform, loading a mobile vault into a yellow Penske truck. MBTA managers confirm Brinks took over money handling duties for the agency a week earlier.

The photos, first shared on social media, ignited a firestorm of comments questioning why the cash wasn’t being transported in an armored truck.

Through a spokesperson, the MBTA dismissed any security concerns, saying the agency has used box trucks “for decades” in addition to armored vans.

A statement emailed to FOX25 Investigates said, in part, “armored trucks are used for making multiple stops along a route while box trucks are sometimes used for just one or two pickups before returning to the main cash collection facility.”

The MBTA says the employee who took the photos faces discipline for violating the agency’s personal use of social media policy prohibiting them from content that has to do with “MBTA business-related matters, such as personal employee information, safety plans and security procedures.”

On Friday, sources told FOX25 additional “T” employees had been suspended for sharing the photos on Facebook and Twitter. The employees in question have not been identified. The Carmen’s Union did not return calls for comment.

In July, FOX25 Investigates reported the results of an audit of the MBTA "Money Room." The review found a long list of security failures including disabled alarms, open doors, and employees without proper ID.

The MBTA later replaced union workers with the private firm, Brinks, to handle cash collection and counting.

Complete statement from the MBTA to FOX25:

"Box trucks with MBTA logos have been used for decades by MBTA money room employees for certain tasks associated with their jobs. Brink's, which began performing money room-related activities last week, has done nothing to stray from proper security procedures. While armored trucks are used to handle the vast majority of the work, box trucks - staffed by armed personnel - are sometimes used. Our security consultant on money room matters confirms that is common across the cash collection industry to use box trucks for this specific activity. Armored trucks are used for making multiple stops along a route while box trucks are sometimes used for just one or two pickups before returning to the main cash collection facility. This work is being performed by highly trained professionals at the widely respected Brink's cash collection company. An MBTA employee, who took the photos posted on social media, is well aware that box trucks - staffed by armed personnel - have been used for such work in the past. At least one T employee is facing disciplinary action for violating the MBTA's 'Personal Use of Social Media Policy,' (see attached). Employees are prohibited from posting content that has to do with "MBTA business-related matters, such as personal employee information, safety plans and security procedures." Yesterday and today, Brink's employees have reported no incidents of harassment. The T has full confidence that the widely respected professionals at Brink's will manage the cash collection system in accordance with the industry's best practices and all of the necessary security protocols."

Cox Media Group