Turnpike warns against Fast Lane abuse
By Globe Staff
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials are warning people not to try to cheat the Fast Lane toll collection system, in the wake of a complaint filed against a limousine company that allegedly used personal, rather than commercial, transponders so it could save money on tolls.
The case "should be viewed as a warning to all Fast Lane patrons that abuse of the system will not be tolerated," Alan LeBovidge, the Turnpike Authority executive director, said in a statement.
Attorney General Martha Coakley's office announced this morning that it had reached a $65,000 settlement with A&M Limousine Service Co. Inc. of East Boston of allegations that the company used personal Fast Lane transponders in the Sumner and Ted Williams tunnels to avoid paying commercial tolls.
The attorney general's office alleged that the company's use of personal transponders allowed it to pay 40 cents for trips through the tunnels -- the discount rate for residents of East Boston, South Boston, and the North End -- rather than the commercial vehicle rate of $4.50.
The company allegedly evaded more than $32,000 in tunnel fares from March 1 to Sept. 1. It has denied all allegations of wrongdoing, the attorney general's office said.
"Abuse of the MTA's resident discount program to essentially steal from the Commonwealth is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," Coakley said in a statement.
The Turnpike Authority used new video technology that allows it to match the transponder signals to pictures of cars going through the Fast Lane toll booths, officials said.
A&M didn't immediately return a telephone message seeking comment this morning.
