Pittsfield’s state representative is calling on the state transportation department to lower proposed rate changes associated with an upcoming switch to all-electronic tolling on the Massachusetts Turnpike.Tricia Farley-Bouvier wants the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Board to lower the proposed 30 cent per gantry fee for drivers who don’t have an EZ-Pass transponder. The Democrat made her plea during a September DOT hearing.
“Who is it that’s going to pay this almost double rate?” Farley-Bouvier said. “It’s going to be seniors who live in the Berkshires.”
The Board meets at noon Thursday in Boston to vote on proposed rate changes for the electronic tolling that is set to go live October 28. Above-the-road gantries will replace tollbooths which are set to be demolished.