The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority, Transportation Secretary and Governor Patrick have launched a Test Pilot Program for Mass Pike Transponder distribution.

Five of our dealerships will be participating in this Pilot Program.

Those five Herb Chambers dealerships are:

Herb Chambers Toyota of Auburn
809 Washington Street
Auburn, Massachusetts 01501

Need help finding Herb Chambers Toyota of Auburn? Simply click here to view Herb Chambers Toyota of Auburn on Google Maps, where you can easily print our driving directions.

********************************************************

Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston
32 Brighton Ave
Boston, Massachusetts 02134

Need help finding Toyota of Boston?   Simply click here to view Herb Chambers Toyota of Boston on Google Maps, where you can easily print our driving directions.

********************************************************

Herb Chambers Honda of Boston
1186 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, Massachusetts 02134

Need help finding our dealership? Simply click here to view Herb Chambers Honda of Boston on Google Maps, where you can easily print our driving directions.

********************************************************

Chambers Motorcars of Boston
259 McGrath Highway
Somerville, Massachusetts 02145

Need help finding Chambers Motorcars of Boston? Simply click here to view Chambers Motorcars of Boston on Google Maps, where you can easily print our driving directions.

********************************************************

Herb Chambers Lexus
25 Providence Highway
Sharon, Massachusetts 02067

Need help finding our dealership? Simply click here to view Herb Chambers Lexus on Google Maps, where you can easily print our driving directions

April 22, 2009

BOSTON –There’s now no financial reason not to get a Massachusetts Turnpike Fast Lane transponder and avoid paying cash at a toll booth.

The Pike’s board of directors voted unanimously Wednesday to give drivers free transponders. They’ve long been sold for $29.95, but the board voted earlier this year to replace that upfront cost with a 50-cent monthly usage fee.

Huge traffic backups over Easter prompted Pike officials to examine better ways to lessen congestion at toll booths. They decided eliminating any charge for a transponder would remove any remaining barrier for drivers to get one.

Agency officials also announced the backups had prompted them to cancel planned layoffs of 50 toll collectors. They have already lost an equivalent number through attrition. 

Courtesy of:  WICKED LOCAL

By Staff reports
Fri May 08, 2009, 07:58 AM EDT

Saugus – Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials are reminding motorists to monitor traffic conditions and plan ahead as the high traffic volume season begins on Thursdays and Fridays prior to spring and summer weekends.

In 2008 the Thursday and Friday before Mother’s Day weekend logged in the top 25 highest traffic volume days out of 365 days on the Turnpike and on I-93 in Boston. Mother’s Day was the fourth busiest traveled Sunday on both highways in 2008 with peak travel hours between 4-7 pm. Last year the third Thursday, Friday and Sunday in May were even higher volume days with that Sunday ranking as the busiest on I-93 in Boston. This May, graduations, sporting events such as the Red Sox, Celtics and Bruins play-offs and the departures of college students all add to increased travel.

Motorists should allow extra travel time. Pay close attention to conditions at the busy I-84 interchange at Exit 9 in Sturbridge. Other interchanges are also expected to see heavy volume. It is recommended that drivers check radio traffic reports, call the 511 state traffic information line, or check www.masspike.com and its expanded Road Conditions page and Traffic Cameras page to monitor real-time traffic conditions.

The Turnpike toll plazas will be staffed to minimize traffic delays and inconvenience. Toll managers will be on hand to monitor traffic conditions and to call in extra help if necessary. Despite full staffing levels, traffic conditions at the toll plazas can be impacted by shear volume, weather conditions, accidents and traffic issues on adjoining roadways.

To help improve traffic flow, Turnpike officials have enhanced enforcement approaching the FAST LANE lanes at the I-90 (MassPike) Eastbound toll plaza near I-95 (Route 128). All cash lane customers are advised to keep right. Barrels and cones have been placed between the FAST LANES and the cash lanes. Also an assigned state trooper enforces the lane restrictions. Cash customers who go through a FAST LANE are subject to a $50 FAST LANE violation.

To save time, money and gas, motorists are encouraged to join FAST LANE. Since the free transponder program began in mid-February more than 62,000 transponders have been distributed.

Free transponders are available instantly at FAST LANE Service Centers in Auburn, Natick, and East Boston. Weekend commuters can conveniently pull off the road in Auburn at Exit 10 (9 am to 2 pm) and Natick (Saturday only) next to the McDonalds to pick up a free transponder on the spot. FAST LANE transponder applications are also available online or by calling 1-877-MASSPIKE (1-877-627-7745). FAST LANE is also available for non-commercial accounts at many Registry of Motor Vehicle branch offices and now at Herb Chambers Dealership locations.

Sign up for e-Traveler at www.masspike.com to receive up-to-date emails regarding traffic changes and road restrictions.

Transponders will be available at Selected Herb Chambers Dealers

Boston – Responding on Saturday to Gov/ Deval Patrick’s directive, the Executive Office of Transportation and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority announced a series of initiatives to mitigate congestion at tollbooths during high-traffic periods and improve overall customer service and public safety on the Turnpike.

Transportation officials also pledged to put in place staffing plans for holiday and other high-traffic weekends that will reduce congestion and minimize lengthy delays.??

“I, like every member of my management team, regret the delays that were experienced by so many drivers last weekend. None of us ever want unnecessary delays and my team is working to ensure that we have plans in place that will allow us to reduce congestion at toll plazas during high-traffic periods,” said Turnpike Executive Director Alan LeBovidge.

A preliminary report from the Executive Office of Transportation did not reveal a coordinated job action by Turnpike employees, LeBovidge said, adding that the report did point to a number of cost-cutting moves, in particular a policy of eliminating overtime for toll takers that contributed to a reduced number of collectors and the subsequent traffic back-up last weekend.??

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi Jr. said, “Our job is to keep faith with taxpayers while also keeping faith with drivers who use our roads and bridges. The Turnpike faces unprecedented fiscal challenges that have put it on the brink of insolvency so we must continue the difficult task of cutting costs while keeping customer service and public safety our No. 1 priority.”

In order to avoid lengthy delays at toll plazas on holiday weekends and days in which a high volume of traffic is expected to use cash lanes, LeBovidge and Aloisi announced the Turnpike will implement the following initiatives:??

REDUCING CONGESTION AT TOLL PLAZAS

• The Turnpike will put in place a staffing plan for holiday weekends that will reduce congestion and minimize lengthy delays. Aloisi has already directed the Turnpike to end the practice of not using overtime to fill shifts that become vacant when toll collectors called in sick. In addition, managers will continue to fill in for toll takers when they call in sick or are on break.

• Expand the “wave through” policy to include situations that involve unusual and/or lengthy delays. Decisions to “wave through” will be made by the Turnpike State Police in consultation with the Turnpike’s executive director. As of the fall of 2008, the “wave through” policy was to be used solely in response to public safety situations and the decision was made by the executive director.??

ENCOURAGING FAST LANE TRANSPONDER USE

• At the April 22 meeting of the Turnpike board, Aloisi will ask board members to make Fast Lane transponders free for all drivers. He will ask to eliminate the proposed 50-cent per month service charge for Fast Lane transponders, making them completely free for customers. The 50-cent fee was scheduled to become effective July 1. This action will cost the Turnpike an estimated $6 million in the short term but is expected to lead to long term savings and improved traffic flow on the Turnpike, Aloisi said.

• Expand availability of transponders through a pilot program with five Herb Chambers auto dealerships and by making them available at seven additional Registry of Motor Vehicles locations. Details of the Herb Chambers pilot program will be announced soon.

Currently, the Turnpike has 756,366 Fast Lane accounts using more than 1.1 million transponders. Increased use of the transponders will help reduce congestion at manned tollbooths and save the commonwealth money over the long term. Fast Lane transponders can be ordered at www.masspike.com, by calling 1-877-MASSPIKE, or at eight RMV locations (Eastfield, Watertown, Worcester, Framingham, Chinatown, Beverly, Pittsfield and North Adams).??

ACHIEVING REAL REFORMS AND EFFICIENCIES

• The Turnpike Authority will implement a furlough program for managers similar to the initiative announced last week by Gov/ Patrick for executive branch employees to achieve additional cost savings.

• In order to build a long-term solution to the fiscal problems facing the Turnpike Authority, Aloisi and LeBovidge said they are committed to working in collaboration with the Legislature to pass a reform bill that establishes greater efficiencies through a simple, accountable governance structure that is equipped to generate real cost savings. Comprehensive, meaningful reform must be coupled with new revenue from an increase in the gas tax to pay down Big Dig debt and avoid toll increases, they said.

ZAKIM BRIDGE

• The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority will turn the Zakim Bridge decorative lights back on tonight (Saturday, April 18) thanks to private donations. LeBovidge is working to finalize a longer-term public-private partnership plan that will keep the lights on permanently, with the potential of more energy efficient lighting sources.

Herb Chambers Transponder Program

Below is a release from the Executive Office of Transportation:

BOSTON – Responding to Governor Patrick’s directive, the Executive Office of Transportation and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority today announced a series of initiatives to mitigate congestion at toll booths during high-traffic periods and improve overall customer service and public safety on the Turnpike. Transportation officials also pledged to put in place staffing plans for holiday and other high-traffic weekends that will reduce congestion and minimize lengthy delays.

“I, like every member of my management team, regret the delays that were experienced by so many drivers last weekend. None of us ever want unnecessary delays and my team is working to ensure that we have plans in place that will allow us to reduce congestion at toll plazas during high-traffic periods,” said Turnpike Executive Director Alan LeBovidge.

A preliminary report from the Executive Office of Transportation did not reveal a coordinated job action by Turnpike employees. It did point to a number of cost-cutting moves, in particular a policy of eliminating overtime for toll takers that contributed to a reduced number of collectors and the subsequent traffic back-up last weekend.

Transportation Secretary James A. Aloisi, Jr. said, “Our job is to keep faith with taxpayers while also keeping faith with drivers who use our roads and bridges. The Turnpike faces unprecedented fiscal challenges that have put it on the brink of insolvency so we must continue the difficult task of cutting costs while keeping customer service and public safety our number one priority.”

In order to avoid lengthy delays at toll plazas on holiday weekends and days in which a high volume of traffic is expected to use cash lanes, Director LeBovidge and Secretary Aloisi announced the Turnpike will implement the following initiatives:

Herb Chambers Fast Lane Transponder Program

REDUCING CONGESTION AT TOLL PLAZAS

The Turnpike will put in place a staffing plan for holiday weekends that will reduce congestion and minimize lengthy delays. Secretary Aloisi has already directed the Turnpike to end the practice of not using overtime to fill shifts that become vacant when toll collectors called in sick. In addition, managers will continue to fill in for toll takers when they call in sick or are on break.

Expand the “wave through” policy to include situations that involve unusual and/or lengthy delays. Decision to “wave through” will be made by the Turnpike State Police in consultation with the Turnpike’s Executive Director. As of the Fall of 2008, the “wave through” policy was to be used solely in response to public safety situations and the decision was made by the Executive Director.

ENCOURAGING FAST LANE TRANSPONDER USE

At the April 22 meeting of the Turnpike Board, Secretary Aloisi will ask Board members to make Fast Lane transponders free for all drivers. He will ask to eliminate the proposed 50 cent per month service charge for Fast Lane transponders, making them completely free for customers. The 50 cent fee was scheduled to become effective July 1.This action will cost the Turnpike an estimated $6 million in the short term but is expected to lead to long term savings and improved traffic flow on the Turnpike.

Expand availability of transponders through pilot program with five Herb Chambers Auto Dealerships and by making them available at seven additional Registry of Motor Vehicles locations. Details of the Herb Chambers pilot program will be announced soon.

Currently, the Turnpike has 756,366 Fast Lane accounts using over 1.1 million transponders. Increased use of the transponders will help reduce congestion at manned toll booths and save the Commonwealth money over the long term. Fast Lane transponders can be ordered at www.masspike.com, by calling 1-877-MASSPIKE, or at eight RMV locations (Eastfield, Watertown, Worcester, Framingham, Chinatown, Beverly, Pittsfield and North Adams).

ACHIEVING REAL REFORMS AND EFFICIENCIES

The Turnpike Authority will implement a furlough program for managers similar to the initiative announced last week by Governor Patrick for executive branch employees to achieve additional cost savings.

In order to build a long-term solution to the fiscal problems facing the Turnpike Authority, Secretary Aloisi and Executive Director LeBovidge are committed to working in collaboration with the Legislature to pass a reform bill that establishes greaterefficiencies through a simple, accountable governance structure that is equipped to generate real cost savings. Comprehensive, meaningful reform must be coupled with new revenue from an increase in the gas tax to pay down Big Dig debt and avoid toll increases.

ZAKIM BRIDGE

The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority will turn the Zakim Bridge decorative lights back on tonight thanks to private donations. Executive Director Alan LeBovidge is working to finalize a longer term public-private partnership plan that will keep the lights on permanently, with the potential of more energy efficient lighting sources.

Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/news/politics/view.bg?articleid=1166630