Jan. 31--The Legislature probably thought former governor and mass transit enthusiast Michael S. Dukakis would be thrilled when state reps voted unanimously to honor him by renaming Boston's venerable South Station after him.

But the idea of the "Gov. Michael S. Dukakis Transportation Center" had the Duke steaming yesterday.

"Boy, when they start naming things for you, you know you're on your way out. Let me tell you, I'm 80 and I feel 20," said Dukakis, claiming yesterday's phone call from the Herald was the first he'd even heard of the homage, which was tucked in a $12 billion transportation bond bill.

Dukakis, reached at his home in Los Angeles, where he and former Massachusetts first lady Kitty have wintered for two decades, stated emphatically he has "never" wanted anything in the city named after him -- least of all the 115-year-old rail terminal where one of his biggest hopes and dreams fell short of fruition.