And his monthly pizza luncheon with customers appeared to get off to a rough start Friday, when one participant sized him up as he extended a hand.
“Where’s Mr. Davey? He’s not here today?’’ the woman harrumphed, suggesting a bait and switch. She had reason to grouse, having been a passenger on the now-infamous four-hour commuter rail trip to Worcester last March 1.
Davis explained that Davey had been promoted to serve as state secretary of transportation, and that he is filling in during the replacement search.
“Congratulations on your promotion. Did they tell you about the $161 million [deficit] first?’’ joked Richard Danca, a freelance writer from Newton, knowing Davis was the man behind the calculations.
The crowd, settling in, was knowledgeable and mostly favorable. That might have been expected in what was the 10th in a series of Operations Control Center tours and manager luncheons the T started last year as a consolation prize for the many runners-up in its “General Manager for a Day’’ contest. Upcoming public hearings on the proposed fare increases and service reductions are likely to be much harsher.
Still, Davis urged public attendance. That won’t spare the coming pain - indeed, he said the T is not seeking a legislative bailout and even thanked the state for what help it provides - but will enable the T to make cuts more thoughtfully.
“Voice your support for having the transportation and transit system we need here in Massachusetts and need here in the Greater Boston area, and how vital it is,’’ he said, adding that the issues at stake affect not only regular riders but anyone with an interest in the economy, road congestion, the environment, and mobility for all.
Danca offered that he could not envision Boston without a robust transit system. “The T - it’s old, it’s stinky, and it’s noisy, but boy, it goes everywhere.’’
