Kerry Wills/News

 

MTA driver Edward Meehan, 45, was suspended for the 15th time for allegedly using his express bus to meet up privately with a woman in Staten Island.

Edward Meehan - who had racked up 14 suspensions for speeding, running red lights and other infractions - was suspended for the 15th time last week for the unauthorized get-togethers, authorities said.

The New Jersey man was supposed to steer his express bus to his assigned MTA depot in Staten Island after dropping off commuters in Manhattan.

Investigators say Meehan, 45, made a detour in April - more than once. He parked his passengerless coach on a quiet, treelined avenue in Staten Island - where his gal pal boarded the big rig, an investigative report says.

"He claims they were just talking," said a source familiar with the investigation by Metropolitan Transportation Authority Inspector General Barry Kluger's office. "He said he was going through a hard time and she's a friend."

After two of the rendezvous on the X22 bus, Meehan claimed he was delayed about an hour by traffic - and even filed for overtime at his Charleston Depot. There was at least one other onboard session, but Meehan didn't seek the higher pay for it, the report states.

The NYC Transit division suspended Meehan without pay last week, officials said.

From his condo in Howell, N.J., Meehan denied any hanky-panky on his vehicle and called the incidents "a misunderstanding."

"I was just talking to a friend for a little while," he said. "I'm happily married."

The agency is moving to fire him.

NYC Transit hired Meehan in 1999, but he resigned the following year after being questioned about his absenteeism, the agency said yesterday.

Meehan took another bus operator's exam in 2002 and was hired several years later off a Civil Service list, the agency said. A transit official said the agency's ability to reject Meehan's application was hampered by Civil Service rules.

Until last week, Meehan had been suspended 14 times but managed to stay on the payroll, the report states. Bosses in October 2008 charged him with speeding and "gross misconduct." They tried to fire him, but a contract arbitrator on appeal reduced the penalty to a 25-day suspension, authorities said.

Kluger's office launched an investigation after a Staten Island tipster reported seeing bus No. 4314 on North Gannon Ave., between Ingram and Warwick Aves., on April 12, 19 and 22.

Each time, the same woman left after at least 20 or 30 minutes onboard, walked to a car and drove off, according to the report.

"We believe, based on all the facts, he should be terminated," Kluger told the Daily News. "This is an example of why people should come to this office with information whether they think it's big or small, important or not important. As you can see from this, there can be significant results."