>> TONIGHT ON GREATER BOSTON, AS OPPOSED ACROSS BEHAVIOR, WE WILL TAKE A LAST LOOK AT PUBLICAN AND DEMOCRAT PRIMARY RACES, HOW VOTERS HAVE BEEN TURNING OUT AND HOW THIS PRIMARY SET THE STAGE FOR ALL THE REST.

IS DONALD TRUMP LOSING GEN Z?

A PAIR OF POSTERS THAT WHIMPERED TRUMP IN THE LAST ELECTION AND WHERE THEY STAND NOW.

COULD FUNDING PROBLEMS KEEP THE HEALING ADMINISTRATION FROM FIXING THE TEA?

AS THE FINAL VOTES ROLL IN FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE, NIKKI HALEY IS TRYING TO DISABUSE TRUMP OF THE IDEA THAT HE HAS ONLY ONE.

>> I DON’T DO WHAT HE TELLS ME TO DO.

I HAVE NEVER DONE WHAT HE TELLS ME TO DO.

WE ARE GOING TO SOUTH CAROLINA.

>> WITH AN EARLY LOOK AT HOW THE RACE IS SHAPING UP, I AM JOINED BY TODD BOOKMAN.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING ME.

I WANTED TO PLAY A LITTLE BIT OF TAPE FROM VOTERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE CASTING THEIR BALLOTS TODAY.

>>, FOR NIKKI HALEY.

SHE IS FOR THE MILITARY.

>> I AM TRITE -- TIRED OF THE CRAZINESS.

WE DON’T NEED ANYMORE.

IT HAS BEEN EIGHT YEARS.

>> PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP -- IT IS LIKE A COMMUNIST COUNTRY.

>> HE IS REAL, HE IS NOT A POLITICIAN, HE IS JUST LIKE ME BUT HE HAS MORE MONEY.

>> HE IS KIND, HE IS NOT A BULLY.

HE IS MORE OF A PRESENT.

>> YOU HAVE BEEN OUT ALL DAY ON THE GROUND NOT JUST TODAY BUT WHAT ARE YOU HEARING FROM VOTERS?

REQUEST WE’RE ARE HEARING A LOT OF WHAT YOU JUST HEARD.

THERE IS NO MONOLITH.

THERE IS NO STANDARD NEW HAMPSHIRE VOTER.

EVERYBODY IS MOTIVATED BY SOMETHING DIFFERENT.

I SPOKE TO A LOT OF PEOPLE EXCITED TO WRITE IN JOE BIDEN’S NAME AND OTHER DEMOCRATS WHO WERE MORE OR LESS HOLDING THE NOSE TO DO THAT.

THEY WOULD PREFER TO SEE SOMEBODY YOUNGER AND ARE THE RACE.

ON THE REPUBLICAN SIDE, WE SAW A LOT OF ENTHUSIASM AMONG THE MORE INDEPENDENT MINDED VOTERS TO PULL FOR NIKKI HALEY AND YET THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF REPUBLICAN BASE VOTERS OUT HERE VOTING FOR DONALD TRUMP.

YOU SEE A LITTLE BIT OF EVERYTHING SO FAR.

>> THERE HAS BEEN SO MUCH TALK ABOUT A POSSIBLE NIKKI HALEY VICTORY.

A TRUMP LEAD SLIGHTLY WIDENED AFTER RON DESANTIS.

WHY DON’T THE NUMBERS REFLECT THAT?

>> THE EXPECTATIONS GOT VERY HIGH.

I THINK THAT GOT A LOT OF PEOPLE EXCITED.

THEY THOUGHT MAYBE -- EVEN IN TRUMP’S WEAK ESTATE AGAINST HIS STRONGEST LEVEL, THAT COULD STILL BE WAY LESS THAT ENOUGH TO BEAT HIM.

REQUEST K’S TALK ABOUT HOW THE TREND THAT IMPACT HEALING?

IF SHE EITHER FEEDS FROM OUR LIVES THE TRUMP BY A SMALLER MARGIN, HE IS EXPECTING A LANDSLIDE VICTORY.

HOW WILL THAT AFFECT HER MOVING FORWARD?

>> SHE WANTS TO SEE A BIG TURNOUT AMONGST INDEPENDENT VOTERS.

WE ARE HEARING REPORTS OF VERY STEADY, VERY GOOD TALK -- VERY GOOD TURNOUT BUT NOTHING APPROACHING THE RECORD-SETTING LEVEL.

WE WILL HAVE TO SEE WHAT THAT MEANS FOR HER SUPPORTERS.

AFTER TONIGHT, IT WILL BE UP TO HER CAMPAIGN TO SEE HOW THEY WANT TO SPEND -- SPIN A SECOND PLACE FINISH.

IF SHE WANTS TO PULL OUT A VICTORY, THAT WOULD GIVE HER CAMPAIGN A BOOST.

>> HAVE YOU HEARD FROM INDEPENDENT VOTERS WHO ARE VOTING FOR HER?

>> I HAVE.

I WAS JUST COMING FROM A POLLING PLACE.

I ASKED HIM WHY HE VOTED FOR NIKKI HALEY.

I THINK WE WILL CERTAINLY SEE OTHER DEPENDENTS GO FOR TRUCK.

>> FROM YOUR PERSPECTIVE, DO YOU THINK IT WOULD STRENGTHEN -- BEHOOVE BIDEN IF TRUMP WAS THE REPUBLICAN NOMINEE?

OR WOULD THE COMPETITION FROM NIKKI HALEY BE AN EASIER CHALLENGE?

>> I THINK THE POLLS ARE PRETTY CLEAR THAT SHE WOULD BE MORE FORMIDABLE OPPONENT FOR BIDEN.

WHAT HAS BEEN FASCINATING IS TRUMP IS A FORMIDABLE OPPONENT TO BIDEN AS WELL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE ASSUME HE CAN’T WIN AFTER HOW HE HAS DIVIDED THE COUNTRY.

BUT YOU HAVE SEEN THAT HE IS WHY COMPETITIVE WITH BIDEN.

I THINK IF HE IS THE NOMINEE, THE DEMOCRATS WOULD BE MUCH MORE WORRIED.

>> IT IS SAFE TO SAY THAT EVERYONE WHO HAS UNDERESTIMATED TRUMP HAS BEEN DISPROVEN.

>> HE SHOULD BE IN THE PRIMARY.

A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD IS STILL A DOUBLE-DIGIT LEAD.

EVEN IF IT IS NOT THE QUESTION LANDSLIDE HE WILL POST IN SOME OTHER STATES.

>> I AM CURIOUS ABOUT YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THE -- RON DESANTIS PUTTING EVERYTHING INTO IOWA.

HE WAS THIS CANDIDATE -- HE WAS SAYING I AM JUST LIKE TRUMP EXCEPT I AM NOT FACING ALL OF THESE FELONY CHARGES.

HALEY’S TEAM IS SORT OF TRYING TO HEAD THAT OFF.

THEY HAVE BEEN ARGUING SOUTH CAROLINA IS THE HOME STATE.

THEY ARGUE WHEN YOU GET TO SUPER TUESDAY IN MARCH THAT SOME OF THE STATES ARE DEMOGRAPHICALLY GOOD FOR HER.

THEY CAN POINT TO THESE OTHER PLACES WHERE YOU STILL THINK IT IS NOW IF THIS IS HER ONE-SHOT THAT SOME PEOPLE THINK IT IS.

>> TALKING ABOUT THESE CHARGES AGAINST RUPP IN THIS COURT BATTLE, HOW HAS THAT AFFECTED HIS CAMPAIGN?

>> IT IS HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT IS THE THING ABOUT FROM.

SO MUCH OF HIS STRATEGY IS THE INDICTMENTS AND CAPITALIZING AND RALLYING PEOPLE AGAINST THE INDICTMENTS.

IT IS NOT LIKE HE HAD TO BE THERE A LOT OF THE TIME BUT HIS TEAM KNOWS THAT IS JUST OODLES OF EARNED MEDIA FOR THEM.

>> HE MADE A LOT OF MONEY OFF OF THOSE CHARGES.

I HAVE COVERED THIS IN THE PAST.

IT IS GENERALLY MADNESS, CHAOS.

IT IS THE COLDEST AND LEAST INTERESTING ONE SO FAR IS WHAT I’VE HEARD FROM PEOPLE.

I WAS ACTUALLY RELIEVED TO SEE THIS CLIP OF THIS PERENNIAL CANDIDATE AND ERIC TRUMP INTERACTING TODAY IN NEW HAMPSHIRE.

>> HE IS OK. NO WORRIES.

>> ARE WE SEEING ANY OF THIS SIGNATURE PRIMARY ENERGY HAPPENING THIS YEAR?

IS THE WIND GONE OUT OF THE SALES?

>> I THINK A LOT OF THE AFTER PRIMARY DIEHARDS WILL TELL YOU THIS IS HOW IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE.

YOU HAVE CANDIDATES ON THE GROUND TO SOME EXTENT.

BUT YOU ALSO HAVE TO KEEP IN MIND THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS REALLY ONLY DOING ONE MAJOR RALLY HERE PER DAY AND IN THE EVENINGS HE WAS NOT HITTING UP RETAIL LOCATIONS.

NIKKI HALEY DID A HUGE NUMBER OF STOPS BUT STOPS TAKING QUESTIONS FROM VOTERS AT MOST LOCATIONS.

WE ALSO DID NOT HAVE DEBATES AS WE GENERALLY DO AND THE POLLS HAVE BEEN PRETTY CLEAR THROUGHOUT WITH TRUMP SHOWING A PRETTY SIZABLE LEAD.

ON THE GROUND IF YOU LIKE IT HAS BEEN SO MUCH ENTHUSIASM.

THERE ARE VERY FEW PEOPLE HOLDING SIGNS WHERE THE ENTIRE RAIL IS FULL OF SUPPORTERS FOR EITHER PARTY.

THERE WAS ONLY ONE RIGHT IN JOE BIDEN PERSON HOLDING A SIGN.

ULTIMATELY IT WILL BE THE TURNOUT THAT MATTERS, NOT THE EXCITEMENT.

HE PREDICTED 322,000 REPUBLICAN BALLOTS WILL BE CAST.

THAT WILL BE A PRETTY SIZABLE NUMBER.

BASED ON THE POLLING LOCATIONS I VISITED, WE HEARD STRONG TURNOUT SO FAR.

>> IMAGE OF THE WRITING COPY OF HER JOE BIDEN, WHAT IS GOING ON ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

ARE USING ENERGY FROM OTHER CANDIDATES?

GBH WE SPOKE TO A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT ONES.

I KNOW MARION WILLIAMSON HAS BEEN OUT THERE.

THERE HAVE BEEN A BUNCH OF NAMES FLOATING AROUND OF POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVES.

WHAT ARE YOU SEEING AND HEARING FROM VOTERS ON THE DEMOCRATIC SIDE?

>> THE TURNOUT AT EVENTS FOR DEAN PHILLIPS AND MARION WILLIAMSON HAS NOT BEEN STRONG.

THE ESTABLISHMENT DEMOCRATS HAVE CERTAINLY GOT BEHIND THE RIGHT IN JOE BIDEN CAMPAIGN.

THEY HAVE BEEN FLOODING FACEBOOK ADS.

I HAVE SEEN YARD SIGNS.

I THINK THERE WAS SOME ANGER AMONG A LOT OF DEMOCRATS IN THE STATE THAT JOE BIDEN CHOSE NOT TO PUT HIS NAME ON THE BALLOT.

I THINK A LOT OF OTHER DEMOCRATS WILL COME THROUGH AND VOTE FOR BIDEN IN THIS PRIMARY.

>> I KNOW IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE DECISIONS.

THE RULING JUST CAME DOWN IN MASSACHUSETTS THAT DONALD TRUMP WILL BE ON THE BALLOT HERE.

THAT IS OBVIOUSLY BEEN DECIDED IN STATES ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

IT IS DIFFICULT TO MAKE PREDICTIONS ABOUT HOW THIS PRIMARY WILL GO.

BUT JUST VAGUELY, WHAT DO YOU SEE?

WHAT YOU THINK?

>> IF THE POLLS ARE RIGHT, NIKKI HALEY WILL COME CLOSER TO TRUMP THAN ANY OTHER BIBLE HAS, CLOSER THEN RON DESANTIS BUT STILL, IT WILL PROBABLY BE A SIZABLE LEAD.

I THINK THAT THE TAKE AWAY A LOT OF PEOPLE WATCHING WILL BE TRUMP BASICALLY HAS THIS IN THE BAG.

HALEY’S SAY THEY ARE STILL FIGHTING.

THERE IS ALWAYS A SHOT BUT IT IS GETTING HARDER AND HARDER FOR THEM.

>> TODD BUCHMAN, HANNAH KNOWS, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE.

>> CHECK AT GBH NEWS.ORG AND MORE FOR LOCAL COVERAGE AS THE RESULT COME IN AND FOR MORE POINTS WERE FOR COVERAGE FROM THE WASHINGTON POST, YOU CAN SIGN UP FOR THE NEWSLETTER THE CAMPAIGN MOMENT.

AHEAD OF TODAY’S PRIMARY, THE POLITICS TEAM SAT DOWN WITH A PAIR OF CONSERVATIVE NEW HAMPSHIRE COLLEGE STUDENTS WHO VOTED FOR DONALD TRUMP IN THE LAST ELECTION.

THEY TALKED BEFORE RON DESANTIS ENDED HIS CAMPAIGN.

>> TRUMP IS NOT CARRYING THE 2016 WAVE ANYMORE.

>> IN 2016 WHEN TRUMP ONE, WE WERE ALL HAVING A PARTY.

YOU MENTIONED YOU KIND OF STOPPED SIPPING THE PRESIDENT TRUMP JUICE.

AS OTHER CANDIDATE?

>> RON DESANTIS AND NIKKI HALEY.

NEVER CANDIDATE WINS IN THAT RACE, I WILL BACK THEM UP.

THEY BOTH HAVE STRONG POLICIES.

>>, THINK DESANTIS IS THE GUY.

I THINK TRUMP HAS BEEN ONE OF THE TOUGHEST PRESIDENTS AND MOST EFFICIENT.

QUESTION SO I CAN GET SOMETHING MORE CONCRETE, IF THE ELECTION WAS TODAY, WOULD YOU VOTE FOR RON DESANTIS OR NIKKI HALEY?

>> NIKKI HALEY.

>> AFGHANISTAN BROKE ME.

>> WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE ARE TRUMP’S PRIORITIES IN THE UPCOMING ELECTION?

>> THEY ARE MORE FOCUSED ON TRUMP’S LEGAL ISSUES OR HOW BAD THINGS WERE IN 2020.

TRUMP IS NOT CARRYING THE 2016 WAVE ANYMORE.

HE IS BASICALLY THE GRIM REAPER CARRYING A SITE OVER 20/20, NOT LETTING IT GO.

HE IS BASICALLY ACTING LIKE THE CHRISTMAS GHOST OF 2020.

>> I WOULD AGREE WITH YOU THERE.

I DON’T THINK THAT IS JUST A TRUMP TEAM.

I WOULD SAY THERE IS A FAIR PORTION OF A LOT OF MEMBERS OF THE GOP THAT OLD ON IN 2020.

>> I THINK TRUMP HAS DONE A GOOD JOB IN TERMS OF FOREIGN POLICY.

YOU SEEM TO DISAGREE.

>> I AM NOT SURPRISED >> ONE OF THE MAIN THINGS THE GOP NEEDS TO WORK ON IS GETTING AWAY FROM THIS IDEA THAT THE ELECTION WAS STOLEN FROM US.

WE NEED TO REAFFIRM TO VOTERS THAT THIS IS NOT SOMETHING THAT WILL HAPPEN AGAIN.

THE DEMOCRATS RENT AN AMAZING MODEL IN TERMS OF WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN THE CAMPAIGN.

ESPECIALLY DURING 2020 DURING COVID WITH THE MAILINGS.

THEY HAD THEIR ROOT -- THEY HAD THEIR VOTERS PRIMED AND READY TO BE PREPARED TO SEND IN THOSE MELON VOTES.

TRUMP CAN NO LONGER WORK IN THIS ERA.

IT WORKED AT THE TIME BUT WE DON’T NEED IT ANYMORE.

WE NEED TO BRING BACK THE IDEALS THAT THE GLP-1 STOOD FOR.

WE REMEMBER EVERYTHING BEING CONSERVATIVE BUT EVERYTHING BEING A PEACEFUL SITUATION DESPITE THE WAR ON TERROR HAPPENING.

NOW WE ARE A PARTY OF NOTHING BUT REVENGE.

>> I THINK ULTIMATELY IT WENT REALLY WELL.

IT IS ALWAYS GOOD TO HEAR HIS PERSPECTIVE.

WHAT IS INTERESTING IS HIS STANCE ON NIKKI HALEY AND HAVING HIM ENDORSE HER SO MUCH.

I REALLY DON’T THINK SHE IS THE CANDIDATE COME THE GENERAL.

I WISH I COULD HAVE BEEN FED A LIBERAL OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT.

>> WE DEFINITELY HAVE DIFFERENT TASTES ON THE CANDIDATES.

I ENJOYED THE DEBATE WITH NATE A LOT.

BUT I THINK HE IS A GREAT GUY.

WE HAVE SOME DIFFERENT POLICIES.

QUICK THAT WAS THE FIRST IN A NEW SERIES OF CONVERSATIONS WITH GEN Z POLITICOS CALLED POLITICS IR L. OF ALL THE PROBLEMS PLAGUING THE MBTA, COULD THE BIGGEST BE FUNDED?

ALL OF THIS AMOUNTED TO A GROWING DEBT FOR THE TRANSIT AUTHORITY.

NOW THEY LOOK TO THE LEGISLATOR TO BAIL THEM OUT.

DISCUSS HOW WE GOT HERE AND WHAT IS NEXT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE, BOB.

THE BIGGEST ISSUE IS MONEY.

I THINK PHILIP AND SAID THEY WILL NEED SOMETHING LIKE $24 BILLION FOR THESE REPAIRS.

THAT IS WHAT WE ARE FACING RIGHT NOW.

HOW WILL THAT EVEN BE POSSIBLE?

>> OVER THE COURSE OF MANY YEARS.

BUT THE IMMEDIATE ISSUE IS OPERATING EXPENSES ARE EXCEEDING REVENUE.

QUICK THIS PAST WEEK, THEY SAID THIS IS A HUGE PRIORITY FOR THE STATE.

SHE HAS IMPLEMENTED THIS TASK FORCE TO LOOK AT DIFFERENT WAYS, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE WAYS THEY ARE EXPLORING TO FILL THIS GAP?

>> WE LOOK AT OTHER TRANSIT AGENCIES BECAUSE ALL OF THEM ARE IN THE SAME BOAT IN TERMS OF HAVING A LACK OF FUNDING.

ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PANDEMIC FUNDING IS DRYING UP.

BUT NEW YORK CITY IS NOTABLE BECAUSE THE MANAGER THERE, RICHARD DAVIES WENT ON AN ALL OUT CAMPAIGN TO DRUM UP SUPPORT FOR THE NGA.

THEY ARE PROJECTING A $1.6 BILLION SURPLUS.

THEY HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PUT TOGETHER A FINANCIAL PACKAGE.

THAT IS PROBABLY NOT POLITICALLY POPULAR AND CERTAINLY WOULD NOT BE HERE IN MASSACHUSETTS.

THAT WILL BE THE BIG CHALLENGE.

IN NEW YORK THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT PAYROLL TAXES.

THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT DRIVER’S LICENSE FEES, CONGESTION CHARGES .

REAL ESTATE TRANSFER TAXES.

WHATEVER FEES THEY NEED TO KEEP THE SYSTEM GOING.

THEY ARE GOING TO TRY TO TAP THAT.

IN MASSACHUSETTS WE HAVE NOT EVEN BEGUN TO TALK ABOUT THAT.

WE HAVE THE MILLIONAIRE’S TAX WHICH WILL PRODUCE UP TO HALF $1 BILLION FOR TRANSPORTATION EACH YEAR.

OTHER THAN THAT, THEY DON’T WANT TO TALK ABOUT THEIR INCREASES, INEVITABLY THAT MAY BE NEEDED.

I THINK ASSESSMENTS ON MBTA COMMUNITIES WHICH HAVE DROPPED IN THE PAST FEW YEARS MIGHT HAVE TO GO UP AGAIN.

ALL OF THIS IS GOING TO HAVE TO BE SORTED OUT BY THE GOVERNORS TRANSPORTATION TASK FORCE.

WHICH I UNDERSTAND WILL BE CONVENING IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS.

THEY HAVE TO GET CRACKING AND FIND A SOLUTION TO THIS FUNDING PROBLEM.

BUT IT WILL NOT BE EASY POLITICALLY.

ANYTIME YOU TALK ABOUT RAISING FEES OR TAXES, YOU ARE GOING TO GET A POLITICAL PUSHBACK.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE HOW THEY NAVIGATE THIS.

>> WHAT HAS THE IMPACT ON FROM THE LACK OF FUNDING?

WHAT WILL THE IMPACT BE IF THIS FUNDING IS NOT SECURED?

>> WE CAN SEE THE IMPACT OF INADEQUATE FUNDING OVER MANY YEARS.

WHETHER IT IS DETERIORATION OF THE SYSTEM, HOW THE HOUSE IS BEING PREPARED ALL THE TIME.

THE ORIGINAL FORMULA WAS DEFECTIVE.

THEY WANTED 1% OF THE SALES TAX.

THEY THOUGHT THAT WOULD BRING IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY.

THEY COMPLETELY OVERESTIMATED THAT.

THAT CONTINUED FOR SEVERAL YEARS.

IT AFFECTED THE ABILITY TO MAINTAIN AND INVEST IN THE SYSTEM.

ALL OF THIS AS PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING THROUGH CLOSURES AND SPEED ZONE RESTRICTIONS THAT HAVE BEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING.

THEY ARE TRYING TO GET OUT OF THEM BY FIXING EVERYTHING, IT WILL TAKE TIME.

THE EFFECT OF NOT HAVING ENOUGH FUNDING IS INEVITABLY A CUT IN SERVICE.

I WAS READING WHERE THE WASHINGTON DC METRO IS PREDICTING A 60% CUT IN SERVICE.

THAT WOULD BE DEVASTATING.

IF YOU CUT THE RIDERSHIP, YOU’RE GOING TO DEPRIVE YOURSELF OF EVEN MORE REVENUE.

IT REALLY IS UP TO THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR TO PUT TOGETHER A PACKAGE THAT WILL ADEQUATELY FUND THEM.

THERE IS A BILL IN CONGRESS AND I THINK THE CONGRESSMAN SIGNED ON TO IT THAT WOULD PROVIDE $20 MILLION PER YEAR FOR FOUR YEARS FOR SOME OF THE MAJOR TRANSIT AGENCIES IN THE COUNTRY TO TIDE THEM OVER.

THAT WILL HELP BUT IT WILL NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM.

IF THINGS DON’T CHANGE, THAT SHE IS LOOKING AT EIGHT TO HUNT -- EIGHT TO $900 MILLION BUDGET DEFICITS IN FOR FIVE YEARS.

THAT WOULD BE REALLY UNSUSTAINABLE.

>> WE ARE LOOKING AT A LOT MORE TRAFFIC AND WE HAVE SEEN THIS IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE IN DOWNTOWN CROSSING.

THERE WERE JUST SOME ISSUES THIS PAST WEEK.

A NUMBER OF ISSUES ON THE RED AND ORANGE LINE A LOT OF THAT WAS ATTRIBUTED TO THE EXTREME WEATHER.

IS THAT NORMAL WINTER WEATHER?

IS THAT A DEFERRED MAINTENANCE ISSUE?

>> IT IS THE DEFERRED MAINTENANCE.

THE SYSTEM IS A WRECK.

IT HAS BEEN NEGLECTED FOR SO MANY YEARS.

WHEN YOU TRY TO FIX THAT, IT TAKES MORE MONEY AND TIME TO DO IT.

I THINK BASICALLY THEY HAVE A GOOD PLAN ON PULLING THE TEAM BACK TOGETHER.

UNTIL THEY DO, PEOPLE WON’T BE WRITING IT.

THERE IS STILL A DEPRESSED RIDERSHIP AND DEPRESSED REVENUE.

IT IS REALLY IMPORTANT TO GET THE SYSTEM UP AND RUNNING.

AS FAST AS I CAN.

OTHER THAN THAT, THEY WILL BE SOME TOUGH TIMES AHEAD FOR TRANSIT FUNDING.

IT IS ONE OF THOSE THINGS -- YOU MENTIONED THE TRAFFIC.

POLITICALLY PEOPLE DON’T LIKE THE TRAFFIC.

IF THEY DON’T LIKE THE TRAFFIC, THEY WILL HAVE TO ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF THE PUBLIC TRANSIT SYSTEM TO ALLEVIATE SOME OF THAT.

I THINK THAT IS WHAT THE MESSAGE IS THAT HAS TO BE OUT THERE THAT PEOPLE HAVE TO UNDERSTAND.

IT WILL NOT BE CHEAP.

IT IS GOING TO BE EXPENSIVE AND TIME-CONSUMING.

IT IS SOMETHING THAT HAS TO BE DONE FOR THE HEALTH OF THE CITY IN THE REGION.

>> STATE LEADERS HAVE POINTED OUT THEY REALLY WANT TO EMPHASIZE BETTER TRANSPARENCY COMMUNICATION.

WHEN THERE ARE ISSUES ON THE T, THOSE THINGS GET WEEDED OUT.

IN GENERAL, JUST MORE TRANSPARENCY AND COMMUNICATION AROUND THIS.

HE TALKED ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION OF THE T?

HOW ARE THEY WORKING THROUGH THESE ISSUES THAT ARE DECADES OLD?

>> AS A PERSON COVERING THIS FOR THE LAST FOUR OR FIVE YEARS, THERE HAS BEEN A REAL CHANGE.

I THINK YOU ARE GOING TO SEE SOME REAL PROGRESSIVE CHANGE AT THE AGENCY.

THE COMMUNICATION IS STILL A PROBLEM.

STUFF HAPPENS LIKE AT DOWNTOWN CROSSING LAST WEEK.

PEOPLE GET OFF THE TRAIN AND THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHAT IS GOING ON.

THERE IS NO ONE TO TELL THEM WHAT NOT TO DO OR WHAT THE SITUATION IS.

THAT IS WHAT THEY HAVE TO IMPROVE, COMMUNICATION WITH THE PUBLIC IN A MORE TIMELY FASHION.

SO PEOPLE HAVE SOME IDEA OF WHAT IS TAKING PLACE.

THAT IS SOMETHING THAT CAN IMPROVE ON.

>> DID THEY PROVIDE ANY KIND OF TIMELINE WITH THIS TASK FORCE OR ANY KIND OF GOALS THEY ARE HOPING TO MEET WITHIN A SPECIFIC TIMEFRAME?

>> I THINK MOST PEOPLE WOULD AGREE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

ESPECIALLY IF THEY WILL BE PREPARING FISCAL 26 WHICH SOUNDS LIKE A LONG TIME AWAY BUT IT WILL BE HERE BEFORE WE KNOW IT.

THEY REALLY HAVE TO BEGIN NOW TO FORM THE FOUNDATION TO FINANCE THE TRANSIT SYSTEM.

>> THIS IS THE POWER TO TRANSFORM THE WHOLE INFRASTRUCTURE OF THE CITY.

>> I THINK WHEN THEY HAVE THESE PROBLEMS WITH THE MBTA, PEOPLE REALIZE HOW IMPORTANT PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IS.

IF IT IS NOT WORKING, IT AFFECTS EVERYONE IN A NEGATIVE WAY.

IT IS REALLY INCUMBENT UPON THE ELECTED OFFICIALS AND PEOPLE RESPONSIBLE FOR FUNDING THE TEAM TO REALLY GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER AND MAKE SURE THAT FUNDING IS AVAILABLE, NO MATTER HOW POLITICALLY UNPOPULAR IT MAY BE, PEOPLE DON’T LIKE NEW TAXES.

THEY DON’T LIKE NEW FEES BUT THAT MAY BE WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO GET ENOUGH MONEY TO RUN THE TRANSIT SYSTEM.

>> GREAT.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.

>> GREAT TO BE WITH YOU.

>> IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS FOR BOB ON ALL THINGS TRANSPORTATION, YOU CAN SEND THEM OUR WAY AT GREATER BOSTON AT W GBH.ORG OR IN THE COMMENTS BELOW IF YOU ARE WATCHING ON YOUTUBE.

THAT IS IT FOR TONIGHT BUT COME BACK TOMORROW.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING, AND TORI BEDFORD.

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