At its board meeting yesterday, the Mass Turnpike Authority voted to remove the 50 cent per month fee associated with FastLane transponders to encourage more people to get them. The Pike began offering the transponders for "free" in February (they used to cost $25.95) with the monthly fee attached.However, after backups as long as eight miles that lasted several hours at toll plazas on the Pike during the Easter weekend, Pike officials began rethinking the policy.
“There should be absolutely no reason why everyone in the Commonwealth wouldn’t have a transponder,” Transportation Secretary Jim Aloisi said after members voted to keep the transponders free of charge. While Aloisi has not done the best job of managing the Pike, he's right about this at least.
Fast Lane transponders can be applied for online at www.masspike.com or by calling 1-877-627-7745. Transponders can also be picked up in person at the Fast Lane service centers in Auburn, Natick, and East Boston, as well as at many Registry of Motor Vehicles branch offices.
Posts
