It is no secret that the MBTA is having financial difficulties, but what I do not want to do is have people that are cheating the system drive up the cost of that program to the point where I won't be able to afford it.

We need to tighten up our procedures because there are a number of people out there scamming the system. But the first priority is improving performance. We'd love to be in a situation where we don't have to pay any refunds.

We have not been vigilant enough in monitoring fraud in the program. I think it's an important program to continue, to show good faith to our customers, but it's not going to be a giveaway.

The bottom line is we're shooting for an (increase) in the 25 percent range in order to meet the needs that we've got. But how that breaks out, I can't tell you yet.

Anyone who worked with Michael knows what a great room-jarring laugh he had. He was your best audience for anything remotely funny.

He got around to everyone during the week and that's when he told me anyway and he went around to everyone individually and spoke to everyone.