Missed opportunity on MBTA security

IT'S SURPRISING to see the MBTA's actions concerning the MIT student project concerning Charlie Card security ("T sues 3 students before hacker show," City & Region, Aug. 10). This is very unlike Dan Grabauskas; I can only guess he was browbeaten by his legal staff into wielding a sledgehammer here.

Grabauskas has long been a competent, out-of-the-box state official. He has a shining track record for fixing what's broken in state agencies, often with the most innovative of solutions.

What I would have expected is Grabauskas to form some kind of team or partnership with the students, praising MIT for its students' contributions to the betterment of the Commonwealth, and reaping their undoubted expertise. Instead, it seems like both an operational and promotional opportunity missed.

ROBERT CARON
Northborough