Monday, February 8, 2010

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Patrick pushes for electronic tolls on Mass. Pike

BOSTON -- Governor Deval Patrick is once again looking for ways to cut costs on the Mass Pike.

The governor is considering a pilot program to replace some of the tolls on at least one section of the Mass Pike as part of his plan to reform the transportation system to improve service and save money.

If the state decides to switch to the electronic system, hundreds of toll collectors would be out of a job.

"I'm very serious about it, but it's based on one conversation with the vendor about what could work and where we might try it," said Patrick.

Governor Patrick met with executives at Waltham-based Raytheon last month to hear about the corporation's open-road tolling system.

Motorists would be charged without having to slow down, whizzing under two metal overpasses equipped with transponder sensors that charge the proper toll fee. Cameras would photograph the license plates of cars that do not have transponders.

More than 400 full and part-time toll takers, some of whom earn up to $90,000 a year with overtime, might have to look for new careers.

When asked about the jobs that would be lost by implementing the new system, Gov. Patrick said, "There would be opportunities to do other things...This is not a plan to mechanize the Turnpike. We're not that far along."

Mass Pike motorists gave the plan mixed reviews.

"It's a stupid idea. It's another way for government to pick your pocket," said one motorist.

"Great, it'll save the state some money, but then it's going to take people's jobs away," said another Mass Pike traveler.

Governor Patrick denied that this was some sort of an election-year move designed to pump up his sagging approval ratings. The proposal would save Massachusetts millions of dollars in toll takers' salaries.

The new system would only be used on the Mass. Pike, and not I-93 or I-95. Both interstate highways currently have no tolls.

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