Keller @ Large: Beverly Scott Gets It

BOSTON (CBS) - I've said it before, and I'll say it again – I'm going to miss MBTA General Manager Beverly Scott when she leaves in April.

Not just because she's a compulsive reporter-hugger in a business where hugs are scarce, but because she's one of the few MBTA officials I've ever interviewed who will actually speak the truth as she sees it in public.

This appealing trait was in evidence during a phone interview I had with Dr. Scott Monday.

Before I could even ask a question, she launched into effusive praise for the "unbelievable…partnership and resources" offered her by the governor's office during this month of storms and shutdowns. And she unconditionally dismissed the notion that Gov. Baker had somehow forced her out of office, insisting that she had been planning her exit for some time now.

So much for the spin propagated by some that Baker had sought to undermine Scott and drive her out of town, a conspiracy theory that never made sense to begin with.

Then she turned to the subject of refunds for MBTA long-term passholders who have been denied the services they paid for over the past few weeks.

"They haven't gotten their value's worth," noted Dr. Scott, who said it's "reasonable" for people to expect some money back. But she also acknowledged the conflict between the idea of millions in T refunds and the complaint of her and others that the T desperately needs every dollar it can get.

Dr. Scott gets it. The T needs to restore its credibility, and deflate the public perception that it's a bunch of politically-wired incompetents busy squandering public money.

And I bet she also gets that no new tax revenues will be forthcoming until they do.

Listen to Jon's commentary:

You can listen to Keller At Large on WBZ News Radio every weekday at 7:55 a.m. You can also watch Jon on WBZ-TV News.