Keller @ Large: Baker's Chance To Fix MBTA

BOSTON (CBS) - As we look over the details of the special MBTA report commissioned by Governor Baker, we already knew what one of the headlines would be:

The T is a mess. A really, really bad mess.

We knew before this winter that the T didn't always inspire confidence. Since the snowpocalypse disaster it's been a steady stream of discouraging stories, about hundreds of millions of dollars budgeted for equipment improvement and maintenance that never got spent, chronic absenteeism by goldbricking T employees, and so on.

WBZ-TV News reported that the commission report is warning the budget deficit will double over the next five years if something isn't done. Even with three scheduled fare hikes.

It's expected that – armed with the commission's horror stories - the governor will now move to seize some form of direct control over the T.

Good luck.

And as the governor makes like Hercules in the Augean Stables, he'd do well to remember that part of this whole MBTA nightmare has been an unwelcome reminder of how the last set of pols on Beacon Hill claimed they too were all about reforming the T.

We now see that the previous administration's claim of mission accomplished in achieving "reform before revenue" (remember that one?) was an unfunny joke. They consolidated some back-office stuff and saved a few dollars, while the T's bad management and worse habits just got worse.

So Gov. Baker, go for it, but don't fake us out again.

After this winter, we're done with baby talk, forever.

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.