BOSTON -- The MBTA's own employees are adding to the transit system's financial problems by not collecting fares, an investigation by Team 5 Investigates found.

This comes at a time the agency is struggling to stay on financial track.

Undercover: MBTA Passengers Board Without Paying | Undercover: More MBTA Passengers Not Paying | Undercover: Trolley Passengers Board Without Paying

It is $8 billion in debt, has raised parking fees and is poised to increase fares in 2009.

But with the agency mired in debt, Team 5 Investigates found some MBTA's own employees add to the loss column by just waving passengers on to buses and trolleys.

The "Charlie Card " was supposed to make things simpler on the trains and buses. Passengers just needed to put money on the card, tap, and ride. But Team 5 Investigates spent six days on buses and trains with an undercover camera. They found it was not unusual to get a free ride.

"I've done it a couple of times," said one trolley passenger.

Drivers on some buses waved passengers right on, even those who were ready to pay. Day after day on the above ground Green line trolleys, all the doors opened and passengers walked right on. They weren't asked to pay their fare or prove they had a Charlie Card or a monthly pass.

"I guess it's up to the discretion of the driver," said one trolley passenger. "I don't think it's right," said another rider.

Some passengers were captured on video looking surprised when they boarded without having to pay.

One third of the MBTA's revenue comes from fares. One half comes from a portion of the state sales tax. With the MBTA now over $8 billion in debt, and fare hikes looming, employees were observed letting revenue slip away.

Team 5 Investigates showed our video to the state chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee.

"A video speaks a thousand words. This is pretty clear," said Sen. Steven Baddour. "In today's climate, every penny counts. We are looking at serious reforms and cuts, and here's an opportunity where people can do a better job."

MBTA General Manager Dan Graubauskas declined to watch Team 5 Investigates' video, but consented to an interview.

Team 5: "Your agency is $8 billion in debt. Wouldn't every fare count?"
Graubauskas: "Every fare does count."
Team 5: "So why aren't they collected?"
Graubauskas: "The fact of the matter is that bus drivers, operators, trolley operators know that part of their job is to make sure that everyone pays. It shouldn't be somebody who is just deciding to shirk their responsibilities. If they are working for the T, they've got to make sure to collect fares."

Transportation advocate Eric Bourassa said there's also pressure on operators to stay on schedule.

"A person who is monitoring the line by GPS can call the bus driver and tell them that they are behind schedule," said Bourassa. "They know they should get people on as fast as they can and move to the next station."

Team 5 Investigates asked Graubauskas if drivers felt pressure to keep on schedule.

"Well, certainly we have to maintain a schedule, but that's no excuse for not paying," said Grabauskas.

Drivers on the Green line are supposed to make announcements when the trains are crowded, asking passengers to come forward and pay their fare. But during our observations, no announcements were made about fare collection.

The MBTA said it ticketed 650 passengers this year for fare evasion. But those were passengers, not employees. After Team 5 Investigates told Graubauskas about drivers failing to collect, he said he may take disciplinary action.

"They'll be brought in to see if in fact they weren't doing the job, " he said . "There will be progressive discipline. If we need to get back out there and do self enforcement, then we will do that."