Turnpike director calls on lawmakers to help maintain Fast Lane discount

Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen says he supports maintaining a toll discount for Fast Lane users, and he is calling on lawmakers in the western suburbs to offer help on Beacon Hill.

Transportation reporter Mac Daniel writes in today's Globe:

He said the three-month extension will allow the Turnpike Authority to review its overall financial condition, identify potential savings, and seek help from the Legislature, "as well as to work with the Metrowest delegation to seek legislative relief."

"The legislation that mandated the continuation of the discount didn't come with any funding, so we're going to need partners here in terms of a solution," Cohen said.

State Representative David Linsky, Democrat of Natick, told the Globe he's happy to help, adding, "Quite frankly, my preference would be to drop any discussion of eliminating it."

-- John C. Drake