1 00:00:00,560 --> 00:00:04,880 Speaker 1: It's Night with Dan Ray. I'm telling you easy Boston's 2 00:00:04,920 --> 00:00:05,560 Speaker 1: news Radio. 3 00:00:06,320 --> 00:00:09,360 Speaker 2: Well, I'm delighted to welcome back to night's ID. Actually, 4 00:00:09,360 --> 00:00:11,119 Speaker 2: one of my favorite guests, and the reason he's one 5 00:00:11,119 --> 00:00:13,800 Speaker 2: of my favorite guests is Brian Kane, who is the 6 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:18,240 Speaker 2: executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board, is always willing 7 00:00:18,280 --> 00:00:21,480 Speaker 2: to come on, talk to me, talk to callers, and 8 00:00:21,880 --> 00:00:25,040 Speaker 2: give me very straight answers to all the questions I 9 00:00:25,200 --> 00:00:27,520 Speaker 2: ask him about the tea and Brian, I just wanted 10 00:00:27,520 --> 00:00:29,280 Speaker 2: to say thanks very much. I know you spend a 11 00:00:29,320 --> 00:00:32,279 Speaker 2: long day working and to take an hour with us 12 00:00:32,320 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 2: at night and talk to maybe some happy MVTA writers 13 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:42,400 Speaker 2: and maybe some who have some positive, hopefully positive suggestions. 14 00:00:42,440 --> 00:00:45,600 Speaker 3: Welcome back, Dan, It's always an honor to be on 15 00:00:45,680 --> 00:00:47,360 Speaker 3: your airwaves and talk to the night siders. 16 00:00:47,360 --> 00:00:50,720 Speaker 2: Thanks for having me, absolutely So, how's the tea doing? Generally, 17 00:00:51,320 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 2: let's look at the big view from thirty thousand feet. 18 00:00:55,160 --> 00:00:59,720 Speaker 2: It sounds to me like things are going pretty well. 19 00:01:01,680 --> 00:01:04,360 Speaker 3: Well. Like the rest of us, the system likes this 20 00:01:04,440 --> 00:01:08,240 Speaker 3: warmer weather. It gives the equipment a chance to work 21 00:01:08,280 --> 00:01:11,000 Speaker 3: out some of its kinks, so that certainly helps a lot. 22 00:01:11,240 --> 00:01:14,000 Speaker 2: Well, there were other storms that I remember, particularly in 23 00:01:14,000 --> 00:01:17,560 Speaker 2: the winter of forty and fourteen to fifteen, twenty fourteen 24 00:01:17,600 --> 00:01:23,160 Speaker 2: to fifteen, Yeah, where the MBTA really had problems. You know, 25 00:01:23,280 --> 00:01:27,800 Speaker 2: tracks were impassable. If I'm sure you remember that. Were 26 00:01:27,840 --> 00:01:31,120 Speaker 2: you on these Were you on the advisory board at 27 00:01:31,120 --> 00:01:31,559 Speaker 2: that time? 28 00:01:32,560 --> 00:01:34,880 Speaker 3: I actually worked at the tea itself at that time, Dan, 29 00:01:34,959 --> 00:01:36,240 Speaker 3: so I was in the thick of it. 30 00:01:36,520 --> 00:01:40,320 Speaker 2: Okay, So how did these storms which had some really 31 00:01:40,360 --> 00:01:44,960 Speaker 2: heavy snows, Maybe they weren't as dramatic. I think February 32 00:01:45,280 --> 00:01:49,200 Speaker 2: of twenty fifteen, I think in total we had about 33 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:52,279 Speaker 2: one hundred and twenty inches of snow. But this snow 34 00:01:52,400 --> 00:01:54,680 Speaker 2: came in a fairly condensed time and it was in 35 00:01:54,720 --> 00:01:58,000 Speaker 2: some places sixty seventy inches of snow. How did the tea? 36 00:01:58,480 --> 00:02:00,480 Speaker 2: Did the tea handle it better? And how did they 37 00:02:00,520 --> 00:02:01,080 Speaker 2: do it that way? 38 00:02:01,960 --> 00:02:02,080 Speaker 4: Oh? 39 00:02:02,120 --> 00:02:04,320 Speaker 3: It certainly handled it much better. And I think there's 40 00:02:04,400 --> 00:02:05,520 Speaker 3: two big reasons for that. 41 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 5: One. 42 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:08,040 Speaker 3: One, in fifteen they made it to someone made a 43 00:02:08,040 --> 00:02:11,440 Speaker 3: policy decision. It was the wrong call to stop running trains, 44 00:02:11,760 --> 00:02:13,560 Speaker 3: and that allowed the snow to get up over the 45 00:02:13,600 --> 00:02:15,679 Speaker 3: top of the rail. And once that happens, you got 46 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:17,680 Speaker 3: to dig it out by hand. And you're sort of sunk, 47 00:02:18,040 --> 00:02:20,079 Speaker 3: you'll lose your switches, you'll lose your power, you'll lose 48 00:02:20,080 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 3: your signals. This time they didn't do that. They kept 49 00:02:22,680 --> 00:02:25,079 Speaker 3: the trains running, and that really helped. The other thing 50 00:02:25,120 --> 00:02:26,919 Speaker 3: that really helped Dan is there's a whole new Orange 51 00:02:26,919 --> 00:02:29,920 Speaker 3: Line fleet out there. You know, we stopped running trains 52 00:02:29,919 --> 00:02:31,800 Speaker 3: that used to run on the elevated back, you know, 53 00:02:31,880 --> 00:02:34,680 Speaker 3: before I went underground in eighty three, and these are 54 00:02:34,720 --> 00:02:37,560 Speaker 3: all new trains, and they performed really, really well the 55 00:02:37,919 --> 00:02:40,320 Speaker 3: older Orange Line trains and where the team did have 56 00:02:40,320 --> 00:02:42,760 Speaker 3: trouble on the subway side, and this last storm was 57 00:02:42,800 --> 00:02:46,040 Speaker 3: on the older Red Line trains. They're just it's like 58 00:02:46,080 --> 00:02:49,280 Speaker 3: an older car. There's more mechanical parts that can sort 59 00:02:49,320 --> 00:02:51,840 Speaker 3: of go wrong, where things can go wrong. Moisture gets 60 00:02:51,840 --> 00:02:54,280 Speaker 3: into things, ice gets into things, and it just can 61 00:02:54,320 --> 00:02:57,360 Speaker 3: knuck it all up. So it's really equipment, and I 62 00:02:57,360 --> 00:02:59,720 Speaker 3: think better public policy and probably better management. 63 00:03:00,440 --> 00:03:03,480 Speaker 2: It also seems to me, and maybe this is a 64 00:03:03,520 --> 00:03:06,560 Speaker 2: misimpression that I have, but it also seems to me 65 00:03:06,720 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 2: that over this past winter there were fewer accidents in 66 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:15,520 Speaker 2: which passengers were injured. And I'm not taking not talking 67 00:03:15,520 --> 00:03:18,840 Speaker 2: about accidents while on trains, but there seemed to be 68 00:03:18,880 --> 00:03:21,480 Speaker 2: a period of time where there are some people who 69 00:03:21,520 --> 00:03:27,640 Speaker 2: had slipped into the pit areas. Was this overall a 70 00:03:27,760 --> 00:03:28,520 Speaker 2: safer winter. 71 00:03:30,120 --> 00:03:32,680 Speaker 3: I haven't seen the numbers yet for February then, but 72 00:03:32,720 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 3: it certainly looks that way, it feels that way, and 73 00:03:36,160 --> 00:03:38,840 Speaker 3: I hear what you're saying. I think also they've done 74 00:03:38,840 --> 00:03:41,480 Speaker 3: a better job training bus drivers, in particular on how 75 00:03:41,480 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 3: to drive defensively in the snow. It's a skill that 76 00:03:44,960 --> 00:03:46,400 Speaker 3: all of us here in New England sort of have 77 00:03:46,480 --> 00:03:49,280 Speaker 3: to learn the hard way sometimes, and I think they 78 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,320 Speaker 3: train for that now and I think it's showing real, 79 00:03:51,400 --> 00:03:52,080 Speaker 3: real results. 80 00:03:52,520 --> 00:03:55,760 Speaker 2: But I'm talking about even the sort of the incidents, 81 00:03:55,800 --> 00:04:00,680 Speaker 2: even within the stations, some of which were Yeah, I 82 00:04:00,680 --> 00:04:02,800 Speaker 2: can remember a couple of years ago there are a 83 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:05,640 Speaker 2: couple of people who were push cushoved in the way 84 00:04:05,640 --> 00:04:06,880 Speaker 2: of oncoming trains. 85 00:04:07,080 --> 00:04:07,280 Speaker 3: Yeah. 86 00:04:08,240 --> 00:04:11,480 Speaker 2: I don't know if they were fatalities, always necessarily, but 87 00:04:11,600 --> 00:04:15,680 Speaker 2: obviously some serious injuries. And is that a better police 88 00:04:15,720 --> 00:04:18,600 Speaker 2: presence within the system, I assume. 89 00:04:19,560 --> 00:04:20,720 Speaker 3: I hope. 90 00:04:20,760 --> 00:04:20,920 Speaker 5: So. 91 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 3: I hope people have smartened up and realized, God, we 92 00:04:24,960 --> 00:04:27,600 Speaker 3: shouldn't be pushing each other in front of moving trains. Yeah, 93 00:04:27,680 --> 00:04:31,000 Speaker 3: I want to say it's a better police presence. Yeah. 94 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:34,800 Speaker 3: And I think it's also with the newer vehicles, they 95 00:04:34,839 --> 00:04:37,480 Speaker 3: can actually stop a little bit faster in the event 96 00:04:37,560 --> 00:04:39,760 Speaker 3: that something does go wrong and something is in the pit. 97 00:04:39,880 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 3: And I think that also helps a lot too. 98 00:04:41,400 --> 00:04:44,320 Speaker 2: Yeah, and there can be people who can stumble. Obviously 99 00:04:44,720 --> 00:04:47,800 Speaker 2: that people make mistakes, but it seemed to me that 100 00:04:47,960 --> 00:04:50,640 Speaker 2: you know, the person whose arm is caught in the 101 00:04:50,720 --> 00:04:53,320 Speaker 2: train as it's moving, they it just seemed to me 102 00:04:53,400 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 2: to be a more an accident free winter. And I 103 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:00,840 Speaker 2: know you still looking at statistics, but just from a 104 00:05:00,880 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: person who follows the news and follows the tea all 105 00:05:05,400 --> 00:05:08,080 Speaker 2: all along, it seems to be to me that things 106 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:11,840 Speaker 2: kind of have gone a little bit, a little bit smoother. 107 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:14,880 Speaker 2: I assume that the board is still very happy with 108 00:05:14,920 --> 00:05:17,520 Speaker 2: the general manager, Philip. 109 00:05:17,160 --> 00:05:21,159 Speaker 3: Eng Uh he's he's a he's a superstar. We're gonna 110 00:05:21,160 --> 00:05:23,000 Speaker 3: build a statue of him. According to some folks here 111 00:05:23,000 --> 00:05:23,479 Speaker 3: in Boston. 112 00:05:24,640 --> 00:05:26,960 Speaker 2: Is that a consensus or does he have his critics? 113 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:28,360 Speaker 6: Uh? 114 00:05:28,520 --> 00:05:30,240 Speaker 3: No, I mean he has his critics. I mean he's 115 00:05:30,279 --> 00:05:32,960 Speaker 3: also doing the job of Secretary of Transportation, which is 116 00:05:33,040 --> 00:05:36,520 Speaker 3: another more than full time job. So there's some some 117 00:05:36,600 --> 00:05:39,240 Speaker 3: concern among folks like myself that his focus is going 118 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:42,640 Speaker 3: to get pulled in a couple of different directions. You know, 119 00:05:42,880 --> 00:05:45,120 Speaker 3: the TA is making progress and we can't take our 120 00:05:45,400 --> 00:05:47,000 Speaker 3: sort of eye off the ball or our foot off 121 00:05:47,000 --> 00:05:51,000 Speaker 3: the proverbial pedal. Phil is now also worried about shovel 122 00:05:51,080 --> 00:05:54,240 Speaker 3: and you know, plowing snow in Pittsfield. And I talked 123 00:05:54,279 --> 00:05:56,279 Speaker 3: to some folks with the tea during the height of 124 00:05:56,279 --> 00:05:59,080 Speaker 3: the storms, and you know, they were worrying about some 125 00:05:59,200 --> 00:06:02,800 Speaker 3: roads to clear Fall River and other places. And I 126 00:06:02,839 --> 00:06:04,560 Speaker 3: get it. You know, it's all about the team and 127 00:06:04,800 --> 00:06:06,800 Speaker 3: the right people. But you know, for someone like me, 128 00:06:07,040 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 3: I don't want us to lose the progress we have. 129 00:06:09,080 --> 00:06:11,640 Speaker 3: And I know Phil ang will do the right thing, 130 00:06:11,880 --> 00:06:14,880 Speaker 3: and I hope he's got the people around him to 131 00:06:14,880 --> 00:06:15,960 Speaker 3: to really stay focused. 132 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:20,719 Speaker 2: Why is he worried about Shoveley snow and Pittsfield and 133 00:06:20,760 --> 00:06:21,840 Speaker 2: Fall River? I missed that. 134 00:06:22,839 --> 00:06:25,280 Speaker 3: Oh, he's the Secretary of Transportation, so he's got to 135 00:06:25,279 --> 00:06:27,760 Speaker 3: worry about highways and stayed roads all over the common one. 136 00:06:28,000 --> 00:06:30,120 Speaker 2: You okay, so they okay, I know it wasn't as 137 00:06:30,360 --> 00:06:34,400 Speaker 2: you were picking Pittsburgh Pittsfield as an example, and fall 138 00:06:34,480 --> 00:06:36,200 Speaker 2: River is an example. I didn't know if there was 139 00:06:36,240 --> 00:06:39,200 Speaker 2: something specific that that he needed to be worried about. 140 00:06:39,520 --> 00:06:42,240 Speaker 2: So last question for me, then we're going to get 141 00:06:42,279 --> 00:06:47,640 Speaker 2: to some phone calls after the break. What's the what's 142 00:06:47,680 --> 00:06:51,200 Speaker 2: the financial picture looking like? This is always to me, 143 00:06:51,560 --> 00:06:56,520 Speaker 2: it's like reading the stock market. You never can tell 144 00:06:56,520 --> 00:07:01,480 Speaker 2: what the numbers really mean. Is the t breaking even, 145 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:09,159 Speaker 2: is that debt increasing? Obviously with the debt service that 146 00:07:09,279 --> 00:07:12,080 Speaker 2: has to be paid on any debt. What's going on there? 147 00:07:12,880 --> 00:07:17,240 Speaker 3: So they're okay financially this current fiscal year, which ends 148 00:07:17,240 --> 00:07:20,360 Speaker 3: at the end of June, and they're okay for next 149 00:07:20,360 --> 00:07:24,240 Speaker 3: fiscal year, which ends in June of twenty twenty seven. 150 00:07:25,880 --> 00:07:28,640 Speaker 3: Depending on what the state, the legislature and the governor 151 00:07:28,720 --> 00:07:32,120 Speaker 3: do with the current budget they're discussing, they should be 152 00:07:32,160 --> 00:07:35,720 Speaker 3: okay for twenty twenty eight as well. And that's really 153 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:37,640 Speaker 3: the first time in many years, Dan, that they've had 154 00:07:37,680 --> 00:07:39,960 Speaker 3: sort of a three year runway where they're not lurching 155 00:07:39,960 --> 00:07:43,360 Speaker 3: from crisis to crisis. So, to answer your question briefly, 156 00:07:43,680 --> 00:07:46,640 Speaker 3: they're looking really good. Now, there's some challenges and there's 157 00:07:46,680 --> 00:07:49,360 Speaker 3: some stuff that my organization, and lots of other folks 158 00:07:49,400 --> 00:07:51,040 Speaker 3: would like to see them do better and make some 159 00:07:51,120 --> 00:07:54,680 Speaker 3: changes on but big picture wise, they're doing okay. 160 00:07:54,600 --> 00:07:56,640 Speaker 2: Okay, So let me ask you the big picture question 161 00:07:58,280 --> 00:08:02,120 Speaker 2: roughly roughly, and I don't know if you if you 162 00:08:02,160 --> 00:08:04,880 Speaker 2: want to throw your keyolus in this or you know, 163 00:08:05,400 --> 00:08:09,680 Speaker 2: the commuter train whoever's running that now, however you want 164 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:12,160 Speaker 2: to define it, but give me what it costs to 165 00:08:12,280 --> 00:08:15,600 Speaker 2: run the MBTA, however you want to describe it in 166 00:08:16,000 --> 00:08:18,360 Speaker 2: a given What are we talking about in terms of 167 00:08:18,560 --> 00:08:20,080 Speaker 2: numbers to run it? 168 00:08:20,080 --> 00:08:23,240 Speaker 3: It's a roughly it's a two billion dollar operating budget. 169 00:08:23,280 --> 00:08:26,240 Speaker 2: Ow okay, roughly fair enough, Okay, now, and that's that's 170 00:08:26,320 --> 00:08:29,400 Speaker 2: all in. So you're talking about salaries and costs two 171 00:08:29,400 --> 00:08:35,280 Speaker 2: billion dollars. Okay, If we talk about fares, what percentage 172 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 2: of that two billion dollars are covered by faars? 173 00:08:39,080 --> 00:08:42,839 Speaker 3: It's about a quarter, So five hundred million odd, okay 174 00:08:42,960 --> 00:08:43,760 Speaker 3: for ten million. 175 00:08:43,880 --> 00:08:46,439 Speaker 2: So now does the state then have to make up 176 00:08:46,559 --> 00:08:49,280 Speaker 2: in order for the ballance to be and I'm using 177 00:08:49,320 --> 00:08:52,840 Speaker 2: air quotes here, balanced a billion and a half okay. 178 00:08:53,000 --> 00:08:55,839 Speaker 3: More or less? Yeah, cities and towns kick in about sorry, 179 00:08:55,840 --> 00:08:57,680 Speaker 3: citizen tells kicking in about a quarter billion and the 180 00:08:57,720 --> 00:08:58,520 Speaker 3: rest is from the state. 181 00:08:59,360 --> 00:09:03,960 Speaker 2: Uh okay, okay. And and so what I think I 182 00:09:04,040 --> 00:09:06,320 Speaker 2: just heard you say was that this year was which 183 00:09:06,440 --> 00:09:09,880 Speaker 2: is fiscal twenty six ending on June thirtieth, Next year 184 00:09:09,920 --> 00:09:13,040 Speaker 2: fiscal twenty seven ending on June thirtieth of twenty twenty seven, 185 00:09:13,120 --> 00:09:17,360 Speaker 2: and maybe even fiscal twenty eight. The projections are they're 186 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:20,800 Speaker 2: not going to be losing money. What's going on is 187 00:09:20,840 --> 00:09:23,480 Speaker 2: that is that dead just sitting there on the side, 188 00:09:23,640 --> 00:09:26,719 Speaker 2: and it's it's growing and that hasn't been addressed or 189 00:09:26,760 --> 00:09:28,200 Speaker 2: is it being addressed in any way? 190 00:09:29,120 --> 00:09:31,560 Speaker 3: I mean, the debt's being addressed. One of the big 191 00:09:31,600 --> 00:09:34,600 Speaker 3: things that's happened is that the sort of the debt 192 00:09:34,640 --> 00:09:38,240 Speaker 3: that was associated with Big Dig related project YEP has 193 00:09:38,280 --> 00:09:40,360 Speaker 3: sort of fallen off the books because it's been thirty 194 00:09:40,440 --> 00:09:46,400 Speaker 3: years since those bonds were issued. So time helped us 195 00:09:46,400 --> 00:09:46,920 Speaker 3: on that one. 196 00:09:47,160 --> 00:09:50,280 Speaker 2: So okay, so explain that to my audience. So they 197 00:09:50,320 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 2: issued bond, and I know that there was there were 198 00:09:53,400 --> 00:09:58,280 Speaker 2: some costs that the Tea assumed which they felt was 199 00:09:58,440 --> 00:10:02,160 Speaker 2: not feared to the TA related to the Big Dig 200 00:10:02,600 --> 00:10:04,560 Speaker 2: if I'm not mistaken, correct, No. 201 00:10:04,679 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: That's correct. So in order to get the permits to 202 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:12,080 Speaker 3: build the highway, the state had to commit to building 203 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:16,479 Speaker 3: a series of public transportation projects like the Greenland Extension, 204 00:10:17,160 --> 00:10:20,520 Speaker 3: like the green Bush Lied down in Ingham and at 205 00:10:20,640 --> 00:10:23,360 Speaker 3: before forward funding the TEA was the state was able 206 00:10:23,400 --> 00:10:26,679 Speaker 3: to make those decisions. For the MBTA, it did it. 207 00:10:26,679 --> 00:10:29,680 Speaker 3: It borrowed the money. Two thousand and two thousand and 208 00:10:29,679 --> 00:10:33,079 Speaker 3: one comes along, they did some financial changes. All of 209 00:10:33,080 --> 00:10:36,520 Speaker 3: a sudden, that debt was assigned to the MBTA, and 210 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:39,080 Speaker 3: that's about three of those about three billion dollars in total. 211 00:10:39,559 --> 00:10:41,800 Speaker 3: But like I said, that debt was issued in nineteen 212 00:10:41,880 --> 00:10:44,280 Speaker 3: ninety six and it's been thirty years and it's all 213 00:10:44,320 --> 00:10:46,240 Speaker 3: paid off so with interest. 214 00:10:46,520 --> 00:10:50,120 Speaker 2: Okay, what did it reach? At some point? For some reason, 215 00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,640 Speaker 2: the figure fifteen billion dollars is in the back of 216 00:10:53,679 --> 00:10:55,680 Speaker 2: my head. Was there a point where it was fifteen 217 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:56,560 Speaker 2: billion in the hole? 218 00:10:57,640 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 3: I believe that's the total cost of the Big Dig 219 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,160 Speaker 3: for the entire state governments including. 220 00:11:04,000 --> 00:11:06,280 Speaker 2: All no, no, no, no, no, the Big Dig now 221 00:11:06,400 --> 00:11:12,120 Speaker 2: up to twenty two bills. Oh yeah, Well, I for 222 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 2: some reason I had some number in my head that 223 00:11:14,559 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 2: the that the t could never get out from under 224 00:11:17,240 --> 00:11:20,560 Speaker 2: So if you're telling me the MBTA debt is somehow 225 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:23,040 Speaker 2: paid off, whether it's paid off by the state of 226 00:11:23,120 --> 00:11:27,000 Speaker 2: the MBTA, that's good news. This is the best news 227 00:11:27,000 --> 00:11:27,920 Speaker 2: I've heard about the TN. 228 00:11:28,040 --> 00:11:32,719 Speaker 3: Well, they're still borrowing six hundred million dollars a year, Dan, 229 00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:36,640 Speaker 3: and they will they will forever. That that's their plan. 230 00:11:37,520 --> 00:11:40,640 Speaker 3: What I'm suggesting is that they're able to manage that 231 00:11:40,800 --> 00:11:43,559 Speaker 3: better because they can sort of pay off six hundred 232 00:11:43,600 --> 00:11:45,680 Speaker 3: million a year in a way that they can't pay 233 00:11:45,679 --> 00:11:47,120 Speaker 3: off eight hundred million a year. 234 00:11:47,160 --> 00:11:51,040 Speaker 2: Okay, So they they borrow six, but they pay off six. Okay, 235 00:11:51,080 --> 00:11:55,520 Speaker 2: I get it, I get it. Yep, it's called it's 236 00:11:55,559 --> 00:12:01,320 Speaker 2: called the government money. Folks know, it boggles most of 237 00:12:01,400 --> 00:12:03,840 Speaker 2: us who worry about the end of the month having 238 00:12:03,880 --> 00:12:06,920 Speaker 2: our we can't balance our checkbook. Those of us who 239 00:12:06,960 --> 00:12:10,120 Speaker 2: still do a checkbook and it's off by forty five cents, 240 00:12:10,160 --> 00:12:13,560 Speaker 2: and it's like, oh, it drives me nuts. Brian Kane, 241 00:12:13,600 --> 00:12:16,079 Speaker 2: executive director of the MBT Advisory Boy, We're going to 242 00:12:16,120 --> 00:12:18,080 Speaker 2: go to phone calls. If you love the T and 243 00:12:18,080 --> 00:12:20,440 Speaker 2: you'd like to say something nice, that's great. If you 244 00:12:20,480 --> 00:12:23,840 Speaker 2: have a question, if you have a recommendation on positive 245 00:12:23,960 --> 00:12:26,800 Speaker 2: or otherwise six one seven, two, five four to ten 246 00:12:26,880 --> 00:12:31,600 Speaker 2: thirty six one seven, uh nine three one ten thirty 247 00:12:31,760 --> 00:12:35,080 Speaker 2: or triple eight, triple eight, nine two nine ten thirty. 248 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:37,120 Speaker 2: We got a lot of numbers to throw at your folks, 249 00:12:37,120 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 2: so just stay with us. Six one, seven, two, five 250 00:12:40,040 --> 00:12:42,640 Speaker 2: four ten thirty. There's one line open there and six 251 00:12:42,679 --> 00:12:44,880 Speaker 2: one seven nine three one ten thirty. Let me keep 252 00:12:44,920 --> 00:12:47,120 Speaker 2: it simple. There's two lines open there. We can get 253 00:12:47,160 --> 00:12:47,439 Speaker 2: you in. 254 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:48,120 Speaker 3: Uh. 255 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:50,640 Speaker 2: Brian will take as you know, as you can tell. 256 00:12:50,679 --> 00:12:54,160 Speaker 2: Brian answers every question directly, and I so appreciate that. 257 00:12:54,200 --> 00:12:56,760 Speaker 2: We'll be back with Brian Kane, the executive director of 258 00:12:56,840 --> 00:13:01,600 Speaker 2: the MBTA Advisory Board. He's one public servant who is 259 00:13:01,640 --> 00:13:04,640 Speaker 2: truly serving the public's interest and I mean that from 260 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:06,840 Speaker 2: the bottom of my heart. Back on Nightside right after this. 261 00:13:08,320 --> 00:13:13,280 Speaker 1: You're on night Side with Dan Ray on Boston's News radio. 262 00:13:14,440 --> 00:13:18,800 Speaker 2: All right, before we get to phone calls, Brian, I 263 00:13:18,920 --> 00:13:23,839 Speaker 2: have a friend of mine who lives very close to 264 00:13:24,000 --> 00:13:28,520 Speaker 2: the hospital that she has to go to, and she 265 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:34,040 Speaker 2: has complained to me frequently and she relies upon the ride. 266 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:37,000 Speaker 2: She's complained to me frequently that when she has like 267 00:13:37,040 --> 00:13:40,640 Speaker 2: a one o'clock appointment with her doctor. The ride tells 268 00:13:40,640 --> 00:13:42,800 Speaker 2: her that they will pick her up at eleven fifteen 269 00:13:43,160 --> 00:13:46,360 Speaker 2: or maybe even a little girl well, or even as 270 00:13:46,400 --> 00:13:49,080 Speaker 2: much as early as quarter of eleven. And when she says, gee, 271 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,600 Speaker 2: I only you know, live a mile less than a 272 00:13:51,600 --> 00:13:54,000 Speaker 2: mile from the hospital. If she could walk, if she 273 00:13:54,000 --> 00:13:57,480 Speaker 2: could emulate, she could walk it. But she's on a 274 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:02,760 Speaker 2: walker and oftentimes the ride basically says to her, well, 275 00:14:03,360 --> 00:14:06,240 Speaker 2: you know, this is not a limo service. They give 276 00:14:06,280 --> 00:14:08,840 Speaker 2: her an answer which I think is kind of inappropriate, 277 00:14:10,040 --> 00:14:14,199 Speaker 2: and uh, it's it wouldn't be the one way I 278 00:14:14,240 --> 00:14:16,400 Speaker 2: would want to be treated if I was in that position. 279 00:14:16,520 --> 00:14:18,640 Speaker 2: And there may be others who will call in about 280 00:14:18,640 --> 00:14:22,720 Speaker 2: the ride, But is there anything Does the MBTA run 281 00:14:22,760 --> 00:14:25,840 Speaker 2: the ride or do they farm it out to someone. 282 00:14:27,120 --> 00:14:29,920 Speaker 3: So they they operate it, and they do that in 283 00:14:29,960 --> 00:14:33,960 Speaker 3: conjunction with three vendors who provide the drivers. But at 284 00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:36,120 Speaker 3: the end of the day that the TA is responsible. 285 00:14:36,160 --> 00:14:38,800 Speaker 3: And if that's what your friend is hearing, that's unacceptable 286 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:40,320 Speaker 3: then yeah. 287 00:14:40,400 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 2: And I happen to know her. You know, she's a 288 00:14:44,520 --> 00:14:49,840 Speaker 2: former nurse who had a wonderful career, Uh, serving you 289 00:14:49,840 --> 00:14:54,400 Speaker 2: know people in the in Boston. Uh, and she's got 290 00:14:54,400 --> 00:14:57,040 Speaker 2: to a point now where she needs to rely on 291 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:00,560 Speaker 2: the ride, and they will, you know, the comments that 292 00:15:00,600 --> 00:15:04,240 Speaker 2: will be made will First of all, the question of 293 00:15:05,080 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: why there can't be more flexibility is kind of like 294 00:15:07,320 --> 00:15:10,400 Speaker 2: apparently they have some sort of an algorithm that says, Okay, 295 00:15:10,480 --> 00:15:13,400 Speaker 2: we have this many people, and I can understand it. 296 00:15:13,480 --> 00:15:17,240 Speaker 2: I mean, I can understand that that it's not a personal, 297 00:15:17,680 --> 00:15:22,360 Speaker 2: one to one service. But I'm hoping that they might 298 00:15:22,600 --> 00:15:27,720 Speaker 2: become a little more you know, sensitive to everyone's position, 299 00:15:27,800 --> 00:15:29,680 Speaker 2: because for someone to have to worry when they get 300 00:15:29,720 --> 00:15:32,160 Speaker 2: to the to the hospital two hours in advance, they're 301 00:15:32,200 --> 00:15:35,560 Speaker 2: sitting there, they're older, they're sitting there, they're being exposed 302 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:41,560 Speaker 2: to the germs that are associated with hospitals unnecessarily agreed, agreed, Okay. 303 00:15:41,400 --> 00:15:44,480 Speaker 3: So it's a real tough situation, Dan. So I think 304 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:48,200 Speaker 3: of it like this. The tea provides sort of wholesale transportation. 305 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:51,000 Speaker 3: The train comes up and anybody that wants to can 306 00:15:51,000 --> 00:15:52,440 Speaker 3: get on it as long as you pay the fair. 307 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:56,920 Speaker 3: Whereas ride and paratransit, which is the industry term, is 308 00:15:56,920 --> 00:15:59,960 Speaker 3: more retail. It's more one on one, and it's really 309 00:16:00,120 --> 00:16:05,560 Speaker 3: meant to provide a parallel service for folks who cannot 310 00:16:05,680 --> 00:16:10,680 Speaker 3: use the MBTA system because of physical mobility or other challenges. 311 00:16:11,040 --> 00:16:14,080 Speaker 3: It's incredibly expensive to operate. I mean, I'll tell you 312 00:16:14,480 --> 00:16:16,920 Speaker 3: it costs a tea about one hundred and three dollars 313 00:16:17,000 --> 00:16:20,280 Speaker 3: every time someone gets on a ride vehicle on average, 314 00:16:20,800 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 3: and I think they pay five or six bucks. And 315 00:16:23,680 --> 00:16:26,000 Speaker 3: that compares to a system wide average of about six 316 00:16:26,040 --> 00:16:30,480 Speaker 3: dollars a trip. On some modes, it's pennies on the dollar. 317 00:16:30,600 --> 00:16:33,960 Speaker 3: So it's very expensive. It's it's very difficult to do. 318 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:38,920 Speaker 3: It's retail, it's curb to curb. I think there's better 319 00:16:38,920 --> 00:16:41,480 Speaker 3: ways to do it. Honestly, I would not have the 320 00:16:41,520 --> 00:16:43,440 Speaker 3: t do this if there was a way to get 321 00:16:43,480 --> 00:16:45,600 Speaker 3: the tea out of it. I think a statewide solution 322 00:16:45,760 --> 00:16:50,280 Speaker 3: is needed with more resources and more frankly caring folks 323 00:16:50,360 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 3: who have the compassion and who know how to do is. 324 00:16:52,960 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 3: On a human services level, I believe should be providing 325 00:16:55,840 --> 00:16:56,280 Speaker 3: the service. 326 00:16:56,760 --> 00:17:00,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. I know, one time she told me that she 327 00:17:00,240 --> 00:17:03,400 Speaker 2: was being driven to a hospital and she ended up 328 00:17:03,440 --> 00:17:06,520 Speaker 2: going twenty months, well I wouldn't say twenty fifteen miles 329 00:17:06,560 --> 00:17:10,800 Speaker 2: in the office direction. And finally she kind of said 330 00:17:10,800 --> 00:17:13,480 Speaker 2: to the driver politely, and of course she's in a 331 00:17:13,560 --> 00:17:20,199 Speaker 2: back seat. You know, I'm going to this hospital. And 332 00:17:20,520 --> 00:17:25,400 Speaker 2: the guy had misunderstood it. Yeah, and he said, well 333 00:17:25,440 --> 00:17:28,239 Speaker 2: you should have. Originally he didn't want to talk with her. 334 00:17:28,600 --> 00:17:32,679 Speaker 2: It was just it really sounded unpleasant. So let's do this. 335 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,360 Speaker 2: I am right at nine thirty, so I don't want 336 00:17:34,359 --> 00:17:36,560 Speaker 2: to show change any when Joe from Lynn's next, John 337 00:17:36,600 --> 00:17:39,760 Speaker 2: from Florida is coming up right after that. Let me 338 00:17:39,800 --> 00:17:41,600 Speaker 2: take my break at the bottom of the ar. You 339 00:17:41,680 --> 00:17:43,960 Speaker 2: get about four minute news break, grab a glass of 340 00:17:44,000 --> 00:17:46,800 Speaker 2: water or whatever, and I'm hoping that if there are 341 00:17:46,840 --> 00:17:50,360 Speaker 2: some people out there who utilize the MBTA and are pleased. 342 00:17:50,400 --> 00:17:53,320 Speaker 2: As I mentioned some of my questions earlier, it seemed 343 00:17:53,320 --> 00:17:55,760 Speaker 2: to me that things went a little more smoothly this year. 344 00:17:56,480 --> 00:17:58,359 Speaker 2: Every call doesn't have to be critical. I mean, if 345 00:17:58,400 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 2: you have a question, that's great. If you have a 346 00:18:01,320 --> 00:18:05,520 Speaker 2: constructive comment, or even just a critical comment, that's great too. 347 00:18:06,000 --> 00:18:08,400 Speaker 2: But I think that it's in fairness to my guest 348 00:18:08,480 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 2: Brian Kane, if you've noticed an improvement, or if someone 349 00:18:13,000 --> 00:18:17,560 Speaker 2: on the T treated you a little better than you expected, 350 00:18:18,400 --> 00:18:21,359 Speaker 2: let's uh, let's be fair and balanced. As simple as that. 351 00:18:21,720 --> 00:18:23,840 Speaker 2: We'll take a break. Six one seven, two, five four 352 00:18:23,960 --> 00:18:28,359 Speaker 2: ten thirty or six one seven, nine three one ten thirty. 353 00:18:28,440 --> 00:18:30,560 Speaker 2: Those are the two numbers that you can get in 354 00:18:30,640 --> 00:18:33,000 Speaker 2: on and we'll be back with phone calls for Brian Kine. 355 00:18:33,000 --> 00:18:36,280 Speaker 2: He's the executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board. And 356 00:18:36,320 --> 00:18:41,080 Speaker 2: believe me, Brian will hear what you say, and don't 357 00:18:41,080 --> 00:18:46,400 Speaker 2: be surprised if your suggestions actually turn out to be positive, 358 00:18:46,480 --> 00:18:49,440 Speaker 2: not only for you, but for other people who utilize 359 00:18:49,440 --> 00:18:52,840 Speaker 2: the t Coming back on night side, all right, my 360 00:18:52,880 --> 00:18:55,159 Speaker 2: guest is Brian Kane. He's the executive director of the 361 00:18:55,320 --> 00:19:01,960 Speaker 2: MBTA Advisory Board, a very important organization that Brian Kane heads. 362 00:19:02,000 --> 00:19:04,040 Speaker 2: And let's go to phone calls. Going to start off 363 00:19:04,080 --> 00:19:08,240 Speaker 2: with Joe in Linn. And Joe is someone who uses 364 00:19:08,280 --> 00:19:11,760 Speaker 2: the ride, one of my regular callers. Joe, welcome. You 365 00:19:11,760 --> 00:19:13,720 Speaker 2: were first tonight with Brian Kane. I told you we 366 00:19:13,760 --> 00:19:16,119 Speaker 2: would do this hour, so this one's for you. 367 00:19:16,200 --> 00:19:18,879 Speaker 7: Pal, go ahead, great, I appreciate it, and thank you 368 00:19:18,920 --> 00:19:21,800 Speaker 7: Brian for being here. I am blind, several of us 369 00:19:21,800 --> 00:19:24,760 Speaker 7: are blind. It's only a dollar or something, but the ride. 370 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,400 Speaker 7: I remember the old, good old days of the MBTA. 371 00:19:28,480 --> 00:19:30,760 Speaker 7: You go down, the conductors would let you through. Now 372 00:19:30,760 --> 00:19:32,440 Speaker 7: you got to use a card. I wish we had 373 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,960 Speaker 7: those conductors back is more blind than They never charge us. 374 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:39,360 Speaker 7: But the ride, we're having a lot of problems. They 375 00:19:39,359 --> 00:19:42,480 Speaker 7: don't bring the doorbell, they'll bring you. They'll take you 376 00:19:42,560 --> 00:19:46,440 Speaker 7: out of your way to drop someone else off. And 377 00:19:47,040 --> 00:19:48,359 Speaker 7: sometimes they're very rude. 378 00:19:49,720 --> 00:19:52,320 Speaker 2: Let's talk before I hit it. What do you say? 379 00:19:52,359 --> 00:19:55,560 Speaker 2: They'll take you out of your wait? How long again 380 00:19:55,800 --> 00:19:57,840 Speaker 2: are you taking? Are you taking out of your wait? 381 00:19:57,880 --> 00:19:58,359 Speaker 2: Ten minutes? 382 00:19:58,400 --> 00:20:02,240 Speaker 7: Which wells sometime one time it was an hour. 383 00:20:02,119 --> 00:20:02,840 Speaker 2: And a half hour. 384 00:20:02,880 --> 00:20:04,760 Speaker 7: I was going down the street, but they had to 385 00:20:04,800 --> 00:20:08,320 Speaker 7: go somewhere else, so I had to go a different way, 386 00:20:08,359 --> 00:20:10,720 Speaker 7: and then they had to come back to the restaurant. 387 00:20:11,800 --> 00:20:16,160 Speaker 7: That happened sometimes, and the drivers we were told by 388 00:20:16,240 --> 00:20:18,639 Speaker 7: track and I wish it was privatized. If we're not 389 00:20:18,680 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 7: allowed to put our bags on the seats, we have 390 00:20:20,680 --> 00:20:23,240 Speaker 7: to put them in front of us. All these problems, 391 00:20:23,400 --> 00:20:26,040 Speaker 7: Brian and some of the drivers, they're not allowed to 392 00:20:26,040 --> 00:20:28,720 Speaker 7: come in the restaurant anymore to help us. And I 393 00:20:28,880 --> 00:20:31,200 Speaker 7: like your comments and I hope we can get this fixed. 394 00:20:31,200 --> 00:20:33,480 Speaker 7: And of course some of them have trouble speaking English. 395 00:20:33,600 --> 00:20:34,520 Speaker 7: That's another issue. 396 00:20:35,040 --> 00:20:37,800 Speaker 2: But let's try to take them. Joe, what you've done 397 00:20:37,920 --> 00:20:39,840 Speaker 2: is you've thrown about ten problems here. 398 00:20:40,800 --> 00:20:42,360 Speaker 7: I'm sorry, no, no. 399 00:20:42,160 --> 00:20:44,560 Speaker 2: No, I'm saying if you could be a little more 400 00:20:44,600 --> 00:20:46,919 Speaker 2: specific and take them, you know, one at a time. So, 401 00:20:47,000 --> 00:20:51,680 Speaker 2: for example, in terms of the driver's familiarity with language, 402 00:20:52,240 --> 00:20:56,919 Speaker 2: that is a function that I'm sure the MBTA is 403 00:20:57,040 --> 00:21:00,800 Speaker 2: having trouble hiring, you know, people who are you know, 404 00:21:02,000 --> 00:21:05,159 Speaker 2: you know first maybe people who have used English as 405 00:21:05,160 --> 00:21:08,240 Speaker 2: a second language. In terms of having the bag sitting 406 00:21:08,280 --> 00:21:10,680 Speaker 2: in front of you, what's the problem with that. It's 407 00:21:10,720 --> 00:21:12,440 Speaker 2: like got an airline. You got to put the bag 408 00:21:12,480 --> 00:21:15,040 Speaker 2: in the seat under in front of you because it's a. 409 00:21:15,200 --> 00:21:19,600 Speaker 7: Well, sometimes there's not enough room. People have several bags 410 00:21:19,840 --> 00:21:21,359 Speaker 7: and they have to put them. They used to let 411 00:21:21,400 --> 00:21:24,159 Speaker 7: it's if there was a room, put them on the 412 00:21:24,560 --> 00:21:27,119 Speaker 7: in the van in the back. Now they're giving people 413 00:21:27,160 --> 00:21:30,520 Speaker 7: a hard time. I have a backpack and sence them out. 414 00:21:30,600 --> 00:21:32,320 Speaker 7: I have other stuff to come home and there's no 415 00:21:32,920 --> 00:21:35,919 Speaker 7: not much room, but there is empty seats and they 416 00:21:35,960 --> 00:21:38,960 Speaker 7: don't want us to put it on there. The drivers open. 417 00:21:38,960 --> 00:21:41,399 Speaker 2: And I assume that that must be an insurance issue 418 00:21:41,720 --> 00:21:44,680 Speaker 2: that they probably are doing that for safety purposes. 419 00:21:45,720 --> 00:21:48,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think that's right, Dan. And I also think 420 00:21:48,560 --> 00:21:52,640 Speaker 3: there have been some drivers lifting heavy bags and who've 421 00:21:52,640 --> 00:21:55,159 Speaker 3: gotten injured. So I think the lawyers have sort of 422 00:21:55,160 --> 00:21:57,480 Speaker 3: said no bags at all. And I agree with you. 423 00:21:57,600 --> 00:22:00,920 Speaker 3: It's it's it sounds preposterous. Sometimes there's got to be 424 00:22:00,960 --> 00:22:01,800 Speaker 3: some common sense here. 425 00:22:01,880 --> 00:22:02,040 Speaker 6: Dan. 426 00:22:02,680 --> 00:22:06,399 Speaker 2: Let's let's talk Joe about you talk about being taken 427 00:22:06,480 --> 00:22:09,719 Speaker 2: in a different direction. So you're going from your home, 428 00:22:10,200 --> 00:22:14,359 Speaker 2: so let's say to a medical appointment. Yell, how how 429 00:22:14,440 --> 00:22:16,879 Speaker 2: much when do you do? Do you have to be 430 00:22:17,119 --> 00:22:20,359 Speaker 2: outside your home when the when the person, when the 431 00:22:20,440 --> 00:22:21,359 Speaker 2: driver picks you up. 432 00:22:21,800 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 7: Well, they used to ring my bell. I still tell them. 433 00:22:24,960 --> 00:22:27,639 Speaker 7: Sometime they do, sometime they don't. So they call me 434 00:22:27,760 --> 00:22:30,720 Speaker 7: and then I go downstairs and I tell the driver. 435 00:22:30,800 --> 00:22:32,800 Speaker 7: I says, why didn't you ring my bell? He says, well, 436 00:22:32,840 --> 00:22:35,199 Speaker 7: I didn't see it on the screen. Apparently they have 437 00:22:35,280 --> 00:22:36,040 Speaker 7: a new system. 438 00:22:36,080 --> 00:22:39,560 Speaker 2: I guess, well, if they call you, I mean again, 439 00:22:39,640 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 2: if they call you, yeah, I mean. 440 00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:45,840 Speaker 7: Well they aren't really supposed to call unless we don't 441 00:22:45,880 --> 00:22:47,840 Speaker 7: make it. Damn. But they used to bring the bell first, 442 00:22:47,840 --> 00:22:49,000 Speaker 7: and I would come down day. 443 00:22:49,800 --> 00:22:52,280 Speaker 2: Brian, Brian, why don't you respond to that? Okay, Okay, 444 00:22:52,320 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 2: what do you think? 445 00:22:54,480 --> 00:22:56,639 Speaker 3: Yeah, there have been some changes in policy that have 446 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:58,359 Speaker 3: been made. I think a lot of this has to 447 00:22:58,400 --> 00:23:01,679 Speaker 3: do with the fact that it has privatize Dan and 448 00:23:01,800 --> 00:23:03,520 Speaker 3: some of the third parties are trying to squeeze a 449 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:07,280 Speaker 3: few dollars more out of these contracts. And I think 450 00:23:07,320 --> 00:23:09,679 Speaker 3: what the Tea, or at least some of their contractors 451 00:23:09,720 --> 00:23:12,240 Speaker 3: are hoping from time to time is that folks will 452 00:23:12,800 --> 00:23:15,160 Speaker 3: be a no show and they can still charge them 453 00:23:15,160 --> 00:23:18,000 Speaker 3: for the ride and then take off and leave them stranded. 454 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:21,000 Speaker 3: And it's unfortunate to say it, but I think that's true. 455 00:23:21,080 --> 00:23:21,240 Speaker 6: Dan. 456 00:23:21,960 --> 00:23:26,480 Speaker 2: Okay, Well, that's something maybe, Joe, that you've brought to 457 00:23:26,520 --> 00:23:29,480 Speaker 2: his attention. What about the idea when you're being brought 458 00:23:29,720 --> 00:23:36,800 Speaker 2: home from uh an appointment of some sort and you 459 00:23:36,920 --> 00:23:40,080 Speaker 2: have and you're not being brought directly home, They're they're 460 00:23:40,160 --> 00:23:44,360 Speaker 2: dropping someone else off along the way. Have those been 461 00:23:44,480 --> 00:23:47,960 Speaker 2: reasonable times, Joe? Or the as they will? 462 00:23:48,040 --> 00:23:48,880 Speaker 8: Sometime they are. 463 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:51,399 Speaker 7: Sometimes they're going in the same direction. Sometimes you have 464 00:23:51,480 --> 00:23:53,840 Speaker 7: to go completely out of the way and it may 465 00:23:53,880 --> 00:23:56,400 Speaker 7: take an hour or more to get home. 466 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:00,399 Speaker 2: That far. Get let's get Brian to address that. I 467 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:04,200 Speaker 2: have heard that complaint as from others as well, Brian, 468 00:24:04,240 --> 00:24:04,840 Speaker 2: your thoughts on. 469 00:24:04,840 --> 00:24:07,880 Speaker 3: That so so so have I, Dan, And and I'm 470 00:24:07,880 --> 00:24:10,320 Speaker 3: sure I'm sure Joe remembers as he mentioned, the good 471 00:24:10,320 --> 00:24:11,960 Speaker 3: old days. So there was a guy named Paul Rizzo 472 00:24:12,000 --> 00:24:13,520 Speaker 3: who used to run the tea and used. 473 00:24:13,440 --> 00:24:16,680 Speaker 5: To run the ride. Yes, and he really ran it. 474 00:24:16,600 --> 00:24:18,960 Speaker 3: As if it was sort of a human being first 475 00:24:19,000 --> 00:24:23,639 Speaker 3: approach as opposed to a money making approach and stuff like. 476 00:24:23,760 --> 00:24:26,080 Speaker 3: You know, there used to be shared rides and folks would, 477 00:24:26,280 --> 00:24:29,199 Speaker 3: within reason, sort of go a mile of direction, a 478 00:24:29,240 --> 00:24:30,920 Speaker 3: mile in that direction. I think it's just sort of 479 00:24:30,960 --> 00:24:33,520 Speaker 3: going out of control. Dan. And if you want to 480 00:24:33,520 --> 00:24:35,159 Speaker 3: connect me with Joe, I'd be happy to talk to 481 00:24:35,240 --> 00:24:37,560 Speaker 3: him offline and see if I can break someone to 482 00:24:37,560 --> 00:24:38,120 Speaker 3: give him a call. 483 00:24:39,000 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 2: We're going to do, Brian, I'm going to have robuh. 484 00:24:42,920 --> 00:24:46,000 Speaker 2: We have two producers, Troy and Rob tonight. So one 485 00:24:46,040 --> 00:24:50,280 Speaker 2: of them, Brian will take Joe's phone number, which and 486 00:24:50,320 --> 00:24:55,240 Speaker 2: they will give you his phone number, and Brian, you 487 00:24:55,240 --> 00:24:58,160 Speaker 2: would call him sometime I assume during the day. So Joe, 488 00:24:58,320 --> 00:25:00,000 Speaker 2: you know, you gotta got to maybe be a vail. 489 00:25:00,320 --> 00:25:02,040 Speaker 7: It is a privileged Brian, you can call. 490 00:25:02,000 --> 00:25:03,960 Speaker 3: Anytime if I'm awake, answer, but I. 491 00:25:03,920 --> 00:25:06,640 Speaker 7: Don't care when you. 492 00:25:06,600 --> 00:25:10,120 Speaker 2: Leave us tonight, Brian, we'll we'll make sure that that 493 00:25:10,400 --> 00:25:12,760 Speaker 2: Rob and Troy give you Joe's home call. Joe, thank 494 00:25:12,760 --> 00:25:13,639 Speaker 2: you very much for calling in. 495 00:25:13,800 --> 00:25:15,440 Speaker 7: Can I ask one more quick question? 496 00:25:15,880 --> 00:25:18,120 Speaker 2: You got to be because you've had six minutes here 497 00:25:18,119 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 2: and I know I'm doing this show for you, but 498 00:25:19,800 --> 00:25:21,080 Speaker 2: go ahead, you're gonna get killed. 499 00:25:21,119 --> 00:25:23,920 Speaker 7: What's the drivers are not allowed to go in restaurants 500 00:25:24,000 --> 00:25:26,040 Speaker 7: like they used to to bring us in. They stop 501 00:25:26,119 --> 00:25:28,600 Speaker 7: by the door. Now some do and when they come 502 00:25:28,640 --> 00:25:31,119 Speaker 7: pick us up they won't even go in. Some do, 503 00:25:31,240 --> 00:25:33,320 Speaker 7: but we have to sit outside or sit on a 504 00:25:33,320 --> 00:25:37,119 Speaker 7: bench outside. I like you to wow, talk about wow. 505 00:25:38,320 --> 00:25:41,960 Speaker 3: I actually didn't know that, Joe. Wow. So really I 506 00:25:42,000 --> 00:25:43,880 Speaker 3: was unaware of that until you just told me. Yeah. 507 00:25:44,040 --> 00:25:46,159 Speaker 3: So I look at all the modes. I don't just 508 00:25:46,160 --> 00:25:48,479 Speaker 3: focus on the ride. But that's news to me. So 509 00:25:48,560 --> 00:25:50,680 Speaker 3: let me let me talk to you about that and 510 00:25:51,000 --> 00:25:52,800 Speaker 3: we'll see if we can get some information for you. 511 00:25:53,400 --> 00:25:55,920 Speaker 7: We'll discuss it. Thanks, Stan, and I'll wait for Rob 512 00:25:55,960 --> 00:25:57,800 Speaker 7: to give him give him my number. Thank you. 513 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 2: No, no, Rob will give your number, don't want worry 514 00:26:00,280 --> 00:26:03,320 Speaker 2: about it, and then Brian will call you tomorrow. Thanks, Joe, 515 00:26:03,320 --> 00:26:05,280 Speaker 2: appreciate it. Let's keep rolling here. We want to go 516 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:08,000 Speaker 2: a little out of state here, gonna go down to 517 00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:11,119 Speaker 2: John and Florida. John, Welcome next on Night's Side with 518 00:26:11,200 --> 00:26:14,560 Speaker 2: Brian Kane, the executive director of the MBT Advisory Board. 519 00:26:16,000 --> 00:26:19,560 Speaker 8: I'm calling from a Kathleena Partners in Jacksonville, Florida, and 520 00:26:20,160 --> 00:26:24,720 Speaker 8: I'm from Pittsburgh originally, but remember Secretary Treasury, I'm Booge 521 00:26:24,880 --> 00:26:27,919 Speaker 8: and President Biden, they came to Pittsburgh and it was 522 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:30,880 Speaker 8: to look at the phone like a plan Fern Hollo Bridge. 523 00:26:30,680 --> 00:26:32,960 Speaker 2: Yeah, I have John, I have no idea what you're 524 00:26:32,960 --> 00:26:35,080 Speaker 2: talking about. I remember you used to call us from 525 00:26:35,119 --> 00:26:37,359 Speaker 2: Pittsburgh and I thought you were nutty then, and I 526 00:26:37,400 --> 00:26:39,639 Speaker 2: think you're nutty tonight. Thanks very much for the time. 527 00:26:39,880 --> 00:26:42,520 Speaker 2: Let me go next to Glenn and Brighton. Glenn, go 528 00:26:42,680 --> 00:26:47,680 Speaker 2: right ahead, Glenn. H Hello, Brent, Glenn, you're on. You're 529 00:26:47,760 --> 00:26:49,879 Speaker 2: on the air with Brian Kane. Go right ahead. 530 00:26:50,720 --> 00:26:55,160 Speaker 6: Oh hi, Brian. Yeah, I'm a friend that I take 531 00:26:55,240 --> 00:26:57,880 Speaker 6: the ride and I had a problem about a month 532 00:26:57,920 --> 00:27:00,760 Speaker 6: ago with a driver. He made it his own rules. 533 00:27:00,840 --> 00:27:04,800 Speaker 6: Staved and he said, no, you can't. Your PCA has 534 00:27:04,840 --> 00:27:07,080 Speaker 6: to go on behind you. We can't go on in 535 00:27:07,119 --> 00:27:09,680 Speaker 6: front of you. Yeah, and I can. 536 00:27:10,160 --> 00:27:13,080 Speaker 2: Okay. Those who do not know is a so called 537 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:15,560 Speaker 2: is a personal care attendant? Correct? 538 00:27:16,200 --> 00:27:17,120 Speaker 3: No, it's yeah. 539 00:27:17,320 --> 00:27:19,280 Speaker 6: I thought it was assistant, but maybe it's a. 540 00:27:19,480 --> 00:27:21,600 Speaker 2: Well that's what they call it. It's a pc A. Correct, 541 00:27:21,600 --> 00:27:22,760 Speaker 2: Am I correct on that? Brian? 542 00:27:23,640 --> 00:27:27,800 Speaker 3: Yeah, yeah, exactly. Look at that. That's unacceptable and it's 543 00:27:27,840 --> 00:27:30,520 Speaker 3: a violation of state and federal law. And I'm sorry 544 00:27:30,560 --> 00:27:33,080 Speaker 3: that happened to you. It shouldn't happen to you. I 545 00:27:33,720 --> 00:27:36,480 Speaker 3: think what happens sometimes, Dan is that you know, some 546 00:27:36,560 --> 00:27:38,960 Speaker 3: of these are our most vulnerable folks in our population, 547 00:27:39,600 --> 00:27:42,159 Speaker 3: and they are being taken advantage of and in the 548 00:27:42,200 --> 00:27:45,080 Speaker 3: hopes that they won't sort of raise their voices and complain. 549 00:27:45,640 --> 00:27:49,239 Speaker 3: And it's unacceptable. And I'm really glad that that your 550 00:27:49,320 --> 00:27:51,560 Speaker 3: Night Sinners are telling me this stuff tonight. I'm gonna 551 00:27:51,560 --> 00:27:53,440 Speaker 3: I'm gonna see what I can do because that's that's 552 00:27:53,480 --> 00:27:55,800 Speaker 3: just not right and it's illegal. It shouldn't happen. 553 00:27:57,000 --> 00:28:00,000 Speaker 6: Also, I get a call. There's a guy that called 554 00:28:00,200 --> 00:28:03,760 Speaker 6: me from the ride with a block number named Ashton. 555 00:28:04,240 --> 00:28:07,480 Speaker 6: Every time I call and complain, he harasses me from 556 00:28:07,480 --> 00:28:14,080 Speaker 6: a block number and that needs to stop. Agreed, Agreed, Okay, 557 00:28:14,320 --> 00:28:18,399 Speaker 6: one more thing, sure, go ahead, Glenn. I wish you 558 00:28:18,440 --> 00:28:21,480 Speaker 6: guys could do something about the shock absorb these rides. 559 00:28:22,160 --> 00:28:24,280 Speaker 6: They know, if some of the drivers try to be careful, 560 00:28:24,320 --> 00:28:27,400 Speaker 6: go they don't all go easy on the bumps. It's 561 00:28:27,440 --> 00:28:30,760 Speaker 6: like a roller coaster and I have arthritis all over 562 00:28:30,840 --> 00:28:34,800 Speaker 6: my body, my lower back, my calves, and I feel 563 00:28:34,840 --> 00:28:39,360 Speaker 6: like I'm in a you know, in a. 564 00:28:39,360 --> 00:28:42,480 Speaker 2: Disney in a Disney World roller coaster ride. It sounds 565 00:28:42,480 --> 00:28:47,960 Speaker 2: like people pay good money. Okay, uh, I guess equipment 566 00:28:48,080 --> 00:28:52,400 Speaker 2: is used and equipment gets it gets beaten down. Maybe 567 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 2: people could just drive a little more carefully. Would that 568 00:28:54,640 --> 00:28:55,560 Speaker 2: be the solution there? 569 00:28:56,800 --> 00:28:59,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, our roads are in real tough shape 570 00:28:59,480 --> 00:29:02,920 Speaker 3: right now. It's it's the same on T buses. Those 571 00:29:02,960 --> 00:29:07,400 Speaker 3: those plastic seats are not very forgiving on the back. So, unfortunately, 572 00:29:07,440 --> 00:29:09,160 Speaker 3: I don't think there's much I can do about that one. 573 00:29:09,360 --> 00:29:09,600 Speaker 2: Yeah. 574 00:29:10,800 --> 00:29:14,160 Speaker 7: Yeah, well glad you glad you get through. 575 00:29:14,360 --> 00:29:17,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, John down in Florida helps you because he he 576 00:29:17,200 --> 00:29:19,280 Speaker 2: used to call in from Pittsburgh. I remember and he 577 00:29:19,280 --> 00:29:21,520 Speaker 2: would always be off topic and we were going to 578 00:29:21,600 --> 00:29:23,760 Speaker 2: waste time with him tonight. Thanks glad to talk to 579 00:29:23,800 --> 00:29:26,360 Speaker 2: you all right, have a great night. Well, take a 580 00:29:26,400 --> 00:29:28,920 Speaker 2: quick break back with a final segment with Brian Kane. 581 00:29:29,280 --> 00:29:32,120 Speaker 2: We will get to everybody, at least everybody on the 582 00:29:32,160 --> 00:29:33,920 Speaker 2: line if you want to try this one line at 583 00:29:33,960 --> 00:29:36,239 Speaker 2: six months, seven two ten thirty and one line at 584 00:29:36,240 --> 00:29:38,800 Speaker 2: six one seven ninth pre one ten thirty. Bringing on. 585 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:41,400 Speaker 2: We'll try to move people as quickly as we can. 586 00:29:41,880 --> 00:29:44,640 Speaker 2: I think it's extraordinary that Brian comes and takes phone 587 00:29:44,640 --> 00:29:47,880 Speaker 2: calls and he will get back to Joe, that is 588 00:29:47,880 --> 00:29:50,400 Speaker 2: for sure. And guys make sure that tonight we give 589 00:29:50,720 --> 00:29:53,720 Speaker 2: Brian Joe's number when when we wrap up in a 590 00:29:53,760 --> 00:29:56,040 Speaker 2: few minutes. Coming back on Night Side right after. 591 00:29:55,840 --> 00:30:03,680 Speaker 1: This, it's Night Side with Dan Ray, Boston's news Radio. 592 00:30:03,760 --> 00:30:06,400 Speaker 2: Back to the phones, we go for Brian Kane, the 593 00:30:06,440 --> 00:30:09,560 Speaker 2: executive director of the MBTA Advisory Board. We're going to 594 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:11,800 Speaker 2: get everybody in. Let me go to Margie and Cambridge. 595 00:30:11,880 --> 00:30:14,720 Speaker 2: Margie next on Night Side, say hello to Brian Kane. 596 00:30:14,720 --> 00:30:15,800 Speaker 2: What's your comment of question? 597 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:20,320 Speaker 4: Hi Brian, my name is Mark Margie and I love 598 00:30:20,360 --> 00:30:23,240 Speaker 4: the ride. I tell you the ride is really helping me. 599 00:30:23,520 --> 00:30:26,240 Speaker 4: I'm legally blind. I just had to give up my 600 00:30:26,320 --> 00:30:31,040 Speaker 4: driver's license. But I have a couple of concerns. I 601 00:30:31,600 --> 00:30:35,760 Speaker 4: I belong to the you know the list part of it, 602 00:30:35,800 --> 00:30:40,560 Speaker 4: which to called the the whether you can get lists 603 00:30:40,560 --> 00:30:44,800 Speaker 4: where you can get uber oh ye right. 604 00:30:44,720 --> 00:30:45,240 Speaker 7: Flex right. 605 00:30:45,880 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 4: And so I've been a member of the ride for 606 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:51,440 Speaker 4: four years. So what happens is that sometimes I have 607 00:30:51,520 --> 00:30:53,480 Speaker 4: to do you have to call the ride by five 608 00:30:53,560 --> 00:30:57,640 Speaker 4: pm to get scheduled, and sometimes what happens is that 609 00:30:58,080 --> 00:31:00,360 Speaker 4: I have to go. I have to do things after 610 00:31:00,520 --> 00:31:03,680 Speaker 4: five o'clock and then it's too late for me to schedule. 611 00:31:03,720 --> 00:31:07,520 Speaker 4: That's number one. Number two is that what happens is 612 00:31:07,560 --> 00:31:10,160 Speaker 4: that sometimes like my mother was ill, Okay, she was 613 00:31:10,240 --> 00:31:12,320 Speaker 4: very ill in the hospital. She's ninety some years old, 614 00:31:12,400 --> 00:31:14,760 Speaker 4: very ill, and so they would call me and I 615 00:31:15,200 --> 00:31:17,320 Speaker 4: had to go there and feed her. And so when 616 00:31:17,400 --> 00:31:20,280 Speaker 4: I so one, so I was scheduled to ride to 617 00:31:20,360 --> 00:31:22,560 Speaker 4: go to feed her, and then the doctor will call 618 00:31:22,680 --> 00:31:24,800 Speaker 4: me and say, you know what, she doesn't need to 619 00:31:24,840 --> 00:31:27,120 Speaker 4: be fed. This nurse here is able to feed her. 620 00:31:27,320 --> 00:31:30,600 Speaker 4: So I couldn't go see her because the ride was 621 00:31:30,800 --> 00:31:33,760 Speaker 4: my ride was canceled and the Flex did not. I 622 00:31:33,800 --> 00:31:36,600 Speaker 4: had the Flex. I hadn't paid for Flex. You know, 623 00:31:36,600 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 4: I had to pay out of my clocket was Flex. 624 00:31:38,560 --> 00:31:40,800 Speaker 4: So the thing I'm saying is that you know I 625 00:31:40,880 --> 00:31:45,080 Speaker 4: only get ten Flex rides a month. Ten And I 626 00:31:45,200 --> 00:31:47,960 Speaker 4: have a friend of mine who does not have obligations 627 00:31:48,000 --> 00:31:51,080 Speaker 4: I have, and she gets warty. And I have written 628 00:31:51,400 --> 00:31:55,479 Speaker 4: them so many times asking them please increase my Flex 629 00:31:55,560 --> 00:31:58,600 Speaker 4: plan please, and they'll say, oh, well, we'll review it 630 00:31:58,600 --> 00:32:02,479 Speaker 4: next year and they and I just wrote this welcome 631 00:32:02,880 --> 00:32:04,720 Speaker 4: three weeks ago, no response. 632 00:32:05,240 --> 00:32:07,000 Speaker 2: How about this, Brian, how about if we give you 633 00:32:07,080 --> 00:32:09,400 Speaker 2: Margie's number and maybe you can try to help her 634 00:32:09,400 --> 00:32:10,200 Speaker 2: out a little bit too. 635 00:32:11,240 --> 00:32:12,200 Speaker 3: Be delighted to them. 636 00:32:12,440 --> 00:32:15,880 Speaker 2: Okay, thank you, Brian. Margie, give your phone number to 637 00:32:16,120 --> 00:32:19,800 Speaker 2: Rob or Troy and we will pass that number on 638 00:32:19,920 --> 00:32:22,040 Speaker 2: and make sure it's a daytime phone number when Brian 639 00:32:22,080 --> 00:32:22,560 Speaker 2: could reach you. 640 00:32:22,600 --> 00:32:24,040 Speaker 7: Okay, sure, Okay. 641 00:32:24,080 --> 00:32:25,080 Speaker 4: Can I say one more thing? 642 00:32:25,360 --> 00:32:27,560 Speaker 2: No, because they got three calls behind you. You're going 643 00:32:27,600 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 2: to get a call from Brian tomorrow from someone on 644 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:32,040 Speaker 2: his staff and he'll be able to help you out 645 00:32:32,040 --> 00:32:33,800 Speaker 2: with that as well. But I got three other people 646 00:32:33,840 --> 00:32:38,440 Speaker 2: I want to accommodate them as well. Okay, fine, great, 647 00:32:38,520 --> 00:32:41,600 Speaker 2: thank you. Let's go next to John and Lynn. Back 648 00:32:41,640 --> 00:32:43,680 Speaker 2: to Lynn, John, you are next on nightside. 649 00:32:43,720 --> 00:32:46,280 Speaker 9: Welcome, Hey, Jan, how are you doing. 650 00:32:46,600 --> 00:32:48,880 Speaker 2: I'm doing great. You're on with Brian Kin. We're getting 651 00:32:48,880 --> 00:32:50,200 Speaker 2: a little tight on time. Go ahead. 652 00:32:50,560 --> 00:32:50,880 Speaker 10: Okay. 653 00:32:50,880 --> 00:32:54,480 Speaker 9: Here's my anecdote from the ride yesterday. Friend of mine, 654 00:32:54,720 --> 00:32:57,880 Speaker 9: he was going to West Roxbury, VA. The SD surgical 655 00:32:57,960 --> 00:32:59,320 Speaker 9: day is something you want to in and out. 656 00:32:59,400 --> 00:32:59,520 Speaker 11: Right. 657 00:32:59,600 --> 00:33:02,520 Speaker 9: He takes the ride, and I take the ride later. 658 00:33:02,600 --> 00:33:04,360 Speaker 9: I don't have to be there later, but I had 659 00:33:04,360 --> 00:33:06,560 Speaker 9: to sign him up. He's going to have them a seizure. 660 00:33:06,640 --> 00:33:09,520 Speaker 5: Right. So halfway down there and the driver says. 661 00:33:09,360 --> 00:33:11,440 Speaker 9: To me, he's looking at the screen. He says, he's looking. 662 00:33:11,520 --> 00:33:14,480 Speaker 9: He says, he says, uh, he says VA. He says, 663 00:33:14,600 --> 00:33:16,960 Speaker 9: he says, what's that? He says, is that something military? 664 00:33:17,520 --> 00:33:20,000 Speaker 9: I knew it was going to be a long day. Okay, 665 00:33:20,400 --> 00:33:23,560 Speaker 9: he go out there. Okay, but I'm telling you, if 666 00:33:23,600 --> 00:33:25,480 Speaker 9: you think you know, it's a risk. It sounded like 667 00:33:25,560 --> 00:33:27,560 Speaker 9: Mike Bonnacle, you can't make this stuff up. 668 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:28,160 Speaker 3: That's well. 669 00:33:28,200 --> 00:33:30,360 Speaker 2: But if the guy didn't the question, if he didn't 670 00:33:30,360 --> 00:33:33,760 Speaker 2: know the VA stood for Veterans Administration. Didn't realize where 671 00:33:33,800 --> 00:33:35,680 Speaker 2: are you going West Roxbury? Did you make a plane? 672 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:37,560 Speaker 9: No VFW Pockway? 673 00:33:37,600 --> 00:33:40,120 Speaker 2: Yeah, wa in West Roxbury. Okay, So you know, I 674 00:33:40,840 --> 00:33:44,320 Speaker 2: to be really honest with you. Maybe this guy never served. 675 00:33:44,320 --> 00:33:46,480 Speaker 2: Maybe he doesn't understand what the VA is. I think 676 00:33:46,480 --> 00:33:48,400 Speaker 2: that's a little picky unit. Did he get you there 677 00:33:48,440 --> 00:33:48,840 Speaker 2: on time? 678 00:33:50,520 --> 00:33:52,280 Speaker 9: You think that's picky on he don't know what the 679 00:33:52,360 --> 00:33:52,880 Speaker 9: VA is? 680 00:33:52,920 --> 00:33:53,120 Speaker 12: Good? 681 00:33:53,200 --> 00:33:55,400 Speaker 2: Yes, I do, Yes, I do, because I have no 682 00:33:55,480 --> 00:33:59,120 Speaker 2: idea who the driver is. Okay, and I just I 683 00:33:59,160 --> 00:34:01,640 Speaker 2: do think that the driver, as long as he gets 684 00:34:01,640 --> 00:34:04,040 Speaker 2: you to the place on time, you can give him 685 00:34:04,040 --> 00:34:06,520 Speaker 2: a little history lesson while you're there, have a conversation 686 00:34:06,640 --> 00:34:08,520 Speaker 2: with him. He may be new to the country. He 687 00:34:08,600 --> 00:34:12,680 Speaker 2: may not know what Veterans Administration is. We just hung 688 00:34:12,760 --> 00:34:13,279 Speaker 2: up on us. 689 00:34:13,640 --> 00:34:14,279 Speaker 8: Okay. 690 00:34:15,160 --> 00:34:17,279 Speaker 2: I always get in trouble when I'm being honest. I 691 00:34:17,320 --> 00:34:19,839 Speaker 2: did my military time too, so I know exactly what 692 00:34:19,880 --> 00:34:22,799 Speaker 2: the Veterans Administration is. Let me go to John and Boston. John, 693 00:34:22,840 --> 00:34:24,719 Speaker 2: you gotta be quick for us, Go right ahead, John. 694 00:34:24,920 --> 00:34:27,120 Speaker 5: Okay, I just want to make a pet peeve I 695 00:34:27,200 --> 00:34:28,480 Speaker 5: have at porta Square station. 696 00:34:29,440 --> 00:34:32,839 Speaker 2: Ask Brian, this is not a right question. This is good. 697 00:34:32,880 --> 00:34:37,800 Speaker 2: This is not a right question. Oh absolutely, I'm sharing 698 00:34:37,880 --> 00:34:40,080 Speaker 2: you on here, Ron, John. Go ahead. 699 00:34:40,239 --> 00:34:42,920 Speaker 5: Two big, huge fans near the ceiling. Sounds like the 700 00:34:42,960 --> 00:34:46,120 Speaker 5: airport years ago when they had prop planes blowing cold. 701 00:34:46,120 --> 00:34:47,960 Speaker 5: They at ninety miles an hour even in the winter. 702 00:34:48,040 --> 00:34:51,279 Speaker 5: They never shut off. If you could do something about that, 703 00:34:51,280 --> 00:34:53,000 Speaker 5: that would be great. You know, I can understand if 704 00:34:53,040 --> 00:34:55,320 Speaker 5: it's a hot summer day you're bones two big fans 705 00:34:55,360 --> 00:34:59,239 Speaker 5: into the ceiling and you could say, well, walk away 706 00:34:59,280 --> 00:35:01,680 Speaker 5: from them. We'll say too. But they're very annoying. And 707 00:35:01,719 --> 00:35:04,280 Speaker 5: another thing I wish you would do, sir mister Brian, 708 00:35:04,960 --> 00:35:07,200 Speaker 5: try to make all the doors and elevator is wider. 709 00:35:07,360 --> 00:35:09,640 Speaker 5: I mean, especially at Malden Station when you come out 710 00:35:09,640 --> 00:35:12,080 Speaker 5: there's a door going to the front, it's very narrow. 711 00:35:12,080 --> 00:35:14,160 Speaker 5: I wish I had like a chainsaw or some kind 712 00:35:14,160 --> 00:35:18,399 Speaker 5: of grinder I can open that. You know you don't. 713 00:35:18,560 --> 00:35:20,719 Speaker 2: Don't you do that, John, even though you may. I 714 00:35:20,800 --> 00:35:22,759 Speaker 2: know you well enough to know that if you had one, 715 00:35:22,800 --> 00:35:24,560 Speaker 2: you would do it. Don't do it, Okay, I would 716 00:35:24,560 --> 00:35:24,719 Speaker 2: do it. 717 00:35:24,760 --> 00:35:27,360 Speaker 5: Yeah, you just put a big wide door. All wide doors. 718 00:35:27,680 --> 00:35:30,600 Speaker 5: And in Porter Square I had a Costco shopping cart. 719 00:35:30,680 --> 00:35:33,040 Speaker 5: I couldn't get up the elevator wasn't working. I went 720 00:35:33,080 --> 00:35:35,239 Speaker 5: up the escalator, I couldn't get through the door, and 721 00:35:35,239 --> 00:35:37,520 Speaker 5: I leave the shopping cut the top four, go across 722 00:35:37,520 --> 00:35:39,920 Speaker 5: the street, get a small shopping cart. We go over everything. 723 00:35:40,480 --> 00:35:43,040 Speaker 5: If you could just make all the doors elevators wide, 724 00:35:43,040 --> 00:35:45,040 Speaker 5: it would be so great. So if people can get 725 00:35:45,040 --> 00:35:46,280 Speaker 5: their carriages and disagi. 726 00:35:46,480 --> 00:35:50,040 Speaker 2: So you're taking a Costco John, you're taking a Costco 727 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:54,879 Speaker 2: shopping card. Didn't tell I found it? Yeah? And why 728 00:35:54,920 --> 00:35:57,040 Speaker 2: did you need to bring it through an MBTA station 729 00:35:57,080 --> 00:35:58,359 Speaker 2: when you're taking I'm using it. 730 00:35:58,440 --> 00:36:00,439 Speaker 5: I use it. I know they don't like shopping cocks, 731 00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:02,080 Speaker 5: but I'm gonna get one of those waggon cocks. I 732 00:36:02,120 --> 00:36:04,960 Speaker 5: know they don't want to carrying around. 733 00:36:05,040 --> 00:36:12,080 Speaker 2: Well, thank you, all right, he's gonna take the consideration 734 00:36:12,600 --> 00:36:16,960 Speaker 2: the elevated. Gosh, all right, thank you, I got it. Yep, 735 00:36:17,000 --> 00:36:20,080 Speaker 2: we'll get them all. Thank you very much, John, Thank you. Okay, 736 00:36:21,040 --> 00:36:27,400 Speaker 2: let's keep rolling here. Brian Eric Pattleborough, Eric Nex nightside, 737 00:36:27,480 --> 00:36:28,240 Speaker 2: go ahead, Eric. 738 00:36:29,320 --> 00:36:30,759 Speaker 13: Hi, thank you for taking my call. 739 00:36:30,840 --> 00:36:31,040 Speaker 9: Dan. 740 00:36:32,200 --> 00:36:36,600 Speaker 13: I wanted to just give a suggestion because I like 741 00:36:37,160 --> 00:36:39,680 Speaker 13: how the underlying scene of your show has been a 742 00:36:39,680 --> 00:36:41,920 Speaker 13: lot of people call with complaints, But does anyone have 743 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:43,360 Speaker 13: any suggestions to offer? 744 00:36:43,520 --> 00:36:45,680 Speaker 2: Sure, go ahead, we're getting so go. 745 00:36:45,600 --> 00:36:47,840 Speaker 5: Ahead, So yep, yep. I'm so. 746 00:36:47,920 --> 00:36:51,680 Speaker 12: I'm curious if there are people that are utilizing the 747 00:36:51,960 --> 00:36:55,720 Speaker 12: rides via the MBT, a state agency, if those people 748 00:36:55,760 --> 00:37:00,279 Speaker 12: in fact might have Medicare or mass health, which would 749 00:37:00,440 --> 00:37:04,400 Speaker 12: qualify them for PT one ride like two doctors appointments, 750 00:37:04,400 --> 00:37:07,680 Speaker 12: as opposed to hypothetically if they were using the ride 751 00:37:07,719 --> 00:37:10,440 Speaker 12: to get the doctor's appointments. It's a better way of 752 00:37:11,840 --> 00:37:15,080 Speaker 12: being able to compartmentalize a category, you know. 753 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:20,000 Speaker 2: Suggestion, Let's get Brian's Let's get Brian's reaction to that. 754 00:37:20,239 --> 00:37:24,600 Speaker 3: Good. Yeah, it's actually illegal for the T to ask 755 00:37:24,960 --> 00:37:27,920 Speaker 3: if your ride is medical in nature or not. So 756 00:37:30,960 --> 00:37:34,200 Speaker 3: shrine for a long time on that one. Yeah, That's 757 00:37:34,200 --> 00:37:36,200 Speaker 3: why I think the means white solution honestly. 758 00:37:37,680 --> 00:37:40,440 Speaker 10: Yeah, because you know a lot of people, I mean 759 00:37:40,480 --> 00:37:43,880 Speaker 10: the PT one you know, it allows people to take uh, 760 00:37:44,040 --> 00:37:47,160 Speaker 10: you know, schedule appointments in advance, you know, specifically for 761 00:37:47,280 --> 00:37:51,000 Speaker 10: maybe they might have routine physical therapy, or they go 762 00:37:51,040 --> 00:37:54,360 Speaker 10: to a clinic for substance you know, you know, for 763 00:37:54,440 --> 00:37:57,920 Speaker 10: opiate control any you know, all things in between it 764 00:37:58,000 --> 00:38:02,719 Speaker 10: and and I was, but I didn't realize that stitulation. 765 00:38:02,880 --> 00:38:07,000 Speaker 2: So that's that's hippa. Those are the hip of rules. 766 00:38:07,000 --> 00:38:09,759 Speaker 2: I guess that you're that you're hands up, Eric, I 767 00:38:09,760 --> 00:38:11,399 Speaker 2: want to I want to try to get one other 768 00:38:11,480 --> 00:38:12,839 Speaker 2: caller in if it's okay with you. 769 00:38:12,920 --> 00:38:15,279 Speaker 12: Thank you much, God bless it. 770 00:38:15,560 --> 00:38:18,359 Speaker 2: Thank you, thank you. I appreciate. Last call of the hour, 771 00:38:18,520 --> 00:38:21,480 Speaker 2: be in West Boxford. Be we we're tight on time, 772 00:38:21,520 --> 00:38:22,400 Speaker 2: but you go right ahead. 773 00:38:23,360 --> 00:38:26,640 Speaker 11: Yes, I'll make it quick. I hi, damn, thanks for 774 00:38:26,719 --> 00:38:29,960 Speaker 11: taking my call. And Brian, I have been taking the 775 00:38:30,040 --> 00:38:33,600 Speaker 11: ride for ten years and I love it. But what 776 00:38:33,800 --> 00:38:38,680 Speaker 11: we pay, we are very very lucky. I mean, if 777 00:38:38,719 --> 00:38:43,359 Speaker 11: you have to take a long food home, so it's 778 00:38:43,400 --> 00:38:46,919 Speaker 11: just three dollars and something and change, where else would 779 00:38:46,960 --> 00:38:50,480 Speaker 11: you get that? And over the past two years they 780 00:38:50,560 --> 00:38:55,040 Speaker 11: must have improved on management or something, because I go 781 00:38:55,880 --> 00:38:58,520 Speaker 11: only about ten minutes from from where I live to 782 00:38:58,560 --> 00:39:01,359 Speaker 11: my place where I have to go, and they'll give 783 00:39:01,400 --> 00:39:05,080 Speaker 11: me a window, say at ten o'clock my appointment. They'll say, 784 00:39:05,200 --> 00:39:09,759 Speaker 11: all right, i'll be there nine thirty to nine to 785 00:39:09,840 --> 00:39:12,120 Speaker 11: get you there at ten. Good doing that. 786 00:39:12,239 --> 00:39:14,960 Speaker 2: Now you got a happy customer to end this one. 787 00:39:15,200 --> 00:39:17,640 Speaker 2: B I got you in. You called late boy. I 788 00:39:17,640 --> 00:39:21,360 Speaker 2: wish you'd called earlier. You one of them positive call him. Okay, 789 00:39:21,600 --> 00:39:22,560 Speaker 2: thanks for balancing. 790 00:39:22,600 --> 00:39:24,680 Speaker 3: Thank you didn't pay me to call. I promise you. 791 00:39:24,880 --> 00:39:29,319 Speaker 2: It's okay. Now, don't thanks be appreciate it be. I 792 00:39:29,400 --> 00:39:31,160 Speaker 2: know you're a first time caller. I don't think i've 793 00:39:31,160 --> 00:39:32,320 Speaker 2: ever heard your voice before. 794 00:39:33,120 --> 00:39:35,120 Speaker 11: Okay, no, I am a first time We've. 795 00:39:34,960 --> 00:39:36,640 Speaker 2: Got to give you out of a pause. B and 796 00:39:36,680 --> 00:39:38,640 Speaker 2: I come on, not only are you positive? 797 00:39:38,800 --> 00:39:41,200 Speaker 11: That right? And we are lucky to have it in 798 00:39:41,280 --> 00:39:42,640 Speaker 11: this Okay, I got. 799 00:39:42,480 --> 00:39:45,040 Speaker 2: It, I got it. Thanks very much, have a great night, 800 00:39:45,080 --> 00:39:48,279 Speaker 2: b keep calling again to the show. Brian, thank you 801 00:39:48,360 --> 00:39:51,840 Speaker 2: very much. You're a great sport. We had a variety 802 00:39:51,840 --> 00:39:54,319 Speaker 2: of callers. I don't know what do we have two 803 00:39:54,400 --> 00:39:58,160 Speaker 2: callers robed for Brian here if I'm not mistaken, Margie 804 00:39:58,560 --> 00:40:02,200 Speaker 2: Margie in Cambridge and Joe and Lynn. Okay, Brian, thank 805 00:40:02,200 --> 00:40:04,200 Speaker 2: you for doing this, and thank you for getting back 806 00:40:04,239 --> 00:40:07,359 Speaker 2: to my listeners tomorrow at some ort tomorrow the next 807 00:40:07,400 --> 00:40:11,000 Speaker 2: day at your convenience. Appreciate it, my friend, Thanks. 808 00:40:10,880 --> 00:40:12,560 Speaker 3: For having me Dat. It's an honor every time you. 809 00:40:12,640 --> 00:40:15,640 Speaker 2: Truly, you're truly what a public servant is supposed to 810 00:40:15,640 --> 00:40:18,760 Speaker 2: be to subject yourself to some of these calls tonight. 811 00:40:19,080 --> 00:40:21,680 Speaker 2: But thank you, thank you, thank you. We'll talk soon. Okay, 812 00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:25,279 Speaker 2: when we get back, thanks Brian, don't hang up. Rob 813 00:40:25,280 --> 00:40:27,319 Speaker 2: will give you that information. The phone numbers of Joe 814 00:40:27,400 --> 00:40:31,000 Speaker 2: and Lynn and Margie and Cambridge daytime phone numbers. Folks. Okay, 815 00:40:32,120 --> 00:40:34,319 Speaker 2: we have the ten o'clock news, and then right after 816 00:40:34,320 --> 00:40:36,640 Speaker 2: the ten o'clock news, we're going to switch topics. We're 817 00:40:36,640 --> 00:40:39,400 Speaker 2: going to talk about the latest on a round a 818 00:40:39,440 --> 00:40:43,320 Speaker 2: lot of people upset about their increase of gas prices, olks, 819 00:40:43,960 --> 00:40:46,719 Speaker 2: small price to pay in my opinion, and you go, 820 00:40:46,880 --> 00:40:49,200 Speaker 2: I'm going to disagree with me, but let's talk about 821 00:40:49,200 --> 00:40:51,160 Speaker 2: it on the other side of the ten We're coming 822 00:40:51,200 --> 00:40:52,080 Speaker 2: back on night side.