Keller @ Large: Runaway Red Line Train Proof Of Larger MBTA Issues

BOSTON (CBS) – They say that the definition of insanity is making the same mistake over and over again, and if that's true, then our mass transit policy around here is insane.

Long before yesterday's terrifying runaway train incident on the Red Line, we knew that years of chronic ineptitude and repeated mistakes had left the MBTA in disarray, unable to provide reliable service and manage its finances.

Related: Federal Investigators In Mass. Meeting About Unmanned Red Line Train

Gov. Baker, with support from the Democratic legislative leaders, is making an effort to clean up the mess. But in the meantime, we are confronted with the disturbing sight of other political luminaries advocating transit policies that make absolutely no sense.

Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone was understandably upset on Wednesday at the state transportation board meeting when they talked about pulling the plug on the Green Line extension to Somerville and Medford, saying it would "send a bad message….about what we can do."

But that ignores the fact that a message has already been sent – we apparently can't design and build 4.7 miles of new T service without unaffordable cost overruns and managerial incompetence.

That doesn't stop former governors Bill Weld and Michael Dukakis from touting a North-South rail link that would likely cost billions we don't have.

Well-meaning people, all of them, but excuse me: we can't properly operate the system we do have, and are deep in debt trying to do so.

Wouldn't it be smarter – and saner - to can the pie-in-the-sky expansion talk until we figure out how to run and pay for what we already have?

Listen to Jon's commentary: