This past Monday, the state Department of Transportation (DOT) activated the new all-electronic tolling system on the Tobin Bridge southbound into Boston.
Commuters were greeted for the first time in decades without any toll booths atop the gigantic bridge.
The new system is the first phase in a plan to convert all of DOT’s tolled facilities to an all-electronic system. The new system is completely cashless, and drivers are warned not to stop to pay the toll.
“This is a major step forward in the use of technology to deliver better customer service,” said DOT Secretary and CEO Richard Davey. “The all-electronic system opens the door to a new era of financing the needs of our transportation system without hindering drivers’ ability to use it.”
The system is equipped to read E-ZPass transponders for payment of the toll; for vehicles without a transponder, an image of the vehicle license plate will be taken, and an invoice will be sent to the vehicle address listed in RMV records.
Under the all-electronic, cashless system, tolls will be collected in the following ways:
•Passenger Vehicle Customers with an E-ZPass Transponder will continue to pay a discounted toll of $2.50;
• Passenger Vehicle Customers without a transponder will “pay-by-plate,” where the newly installed tolling gantries will take an image of the license plate and an invoice will be sent to the address listed on the vehicle registration. Passenger Vehicle pay-by-plate Customers will pay the current $3 cash toll; and
• Commercial Vehicle Customers with an E-ZPass Transponder will continue to pay the current rates, however, Commercial Vehicle pay-by-plate Customers will be charged an additional $0.50.
DOT strongly encourages drivers to sign up for E-ZPass transponders by visiting www.mass.gov/ezpassma, or by calling 1-877-627-7745.
E-ZPass transponders are also available at 17 AAA branches and 20 Registry of Motor Vehicles branches.
Transponders can also be picked up at two of local DOT’s E-ZPass Customer Service Centers:
• E-ZPass MA Customer Service Center
Inside the Square One Mall
1201 Broadway, Route 1 South
Saugus, Massachusetts 01906
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday & Monday: Closed
Handicap accessible.
• E-ZPass MA Customer Service Center
Tunnel Administration Building
145 Havre Street
East Boston, Massachusetts 02128
Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 7:00 AM – 4:30 PM
Tuesday, Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed