After Easter backups, signs pitch Fast Lane program

What does Fast Lane have to do with anything? I HAVE Fast Lane and I was still stuck in this traffic (TWICE). Unless you plan on extending a Fast Lane only lane out *past* the Natick rest-stop (East on the Pike) or essentially into Connecticut (north on 84), getting Fast Lane is worthless.

But, why not? It IS free now. Unlike us early-adopter schmucks, you now get it for nothing. Just another way of thanking the people that save you money.

Its time for real revolution in the corrupt spetic tank we call Mass.

Here's the real problem - WE HAVE A FAST LANE TRANSPONDER. But we still had to sit in the huge traffic jam. The problem was that the signs for where the fastlane users should be are all wrong. They say to keep left, but then the ONE toll taker was on the left, so everyone was going every which way.

Fix the signs. Better yet, get rid of the turnpike commissioners and toll takers both.

Ok this is absurd that Masspike screwed up and now put the blame on the travelers. Get a Fast Pass. Wait you need to get to the toll booth to use it. However when your sitting in miles of traffic it really doesn't matter if you have fast pass or not. But hey the state just keeps milking us dry well guess what I rather take Rt. 2 then give money to Mass Pike. Can someone please step up to the plate and take care of business not rip of taxpayers. Glad you all voted Deval.

I wonder what would have happen if people TURNED IN THEIR TRASPONDERS?

Fast lane pass would not have helped anyway. You couldnt get to the tollboth because the back up was for miles and mile. Open the tolls and let us through. Fire those toll takers or as in the "private sector" if you call out the day before a holiday....you dont get paid for the holiday?

LeBovidge is just another idiot hack! I have a transponder (EZPass, because I won't give Mass any extra money) and yet I had got stuck westbound at the Alston/Brighton tolls!

If more than 20% of the commuters have transponders, why haven't any $70,000/yr tolltakers been laid off? How is it that Gov Patrick, allegedly sitting in the same traffic jam, didn't get on the phone to LeBovidge or hack-in-charge Aloisi and get the tolls opened up?

It is all contrived to get us ready for the $7 bridge/tunnel tolls and the $3 Pike increase. They'll sell it as THE REMEDY to the backups... yeah, traffic will ease because we'll all be using Rt 2 & Rt 9!!

But I'll bet the sheeple of Mass will reelect every single incumbent next year!!

ah yes, the transponder will solve all traffic problems.....wow, i'm going to get one right away so i'll never have to sit in traffic ever again.

I agree with the prior comments. More people with transponders won't help much unless there are dedicated lanes for people with transponders to exit the turnpike (and those dedicated lanes are enforced as Fastlane-only). On another holiday weekend, I and my transponder sat in stopped traffic for an hour trying to exit the turnpike and get onto Route 84 because both exit lanes were clogged with people waiting to pay cash. An increase in the number of people with transponders, alone, with have a very minimal impact, especially on a holiday weekend--when many people who don't typically use the turnpike (and thus have little reason to get a transponder) will be traveling.

If you want people to really go for the Fast Lane transponders, there are a couple of things that needs to be fixed:
1) More FastLanes.
2) Faster FastLanes.

15MPH speed limits is not "fast" by any stretch of the imagination. As long as there are no significant benefits of getting the transponder, many people will not...

Why do people keep thinking fast lane transponders are free now? IT IS NOT FREE TO HAVE A FASTLANE TRANSPONDER.. instead of paying up front you now pay a monthly charge which if you have it long enough, will cost you MORE out of pocket than the upfront charge.

I agree, my transponder didn't get me thru that traffic any quicker, they keep using that excuse (to get one) and it's old!! p.s: you may not pay anything for the transponders now but we will have a $.50 per month fee on our monthly bill to "maintain" them, right? Don't be fooled by there "Free" now, they don't give anything away, just hiding it in a small monthly fee.

More FastLane transponders isn't gonna help much since those that don't have one will be clogging up the ramp to get to the toll booths. And there is only a few FastLane lanes actually open why??? And to make matters worse the FastLane booths are in different locations depending on what exit you take. They should all be on the left but noooo that would be too easy. If you get off the Pike going West at 84 they are sort of in the middle but towards the right. If you are getting on the Pike from 84 they are on the right with the big truck lane! Consistency would be a good thing and follow the logic of the road. Faster movers to the left, which means all FastLane booths should be on the left. Slow people and those paying with cash should be to the right.

In every other business I know of when the workers call in sick management steps in. Where was the management of this state?

we were in a huge backup getting onto the turnpike at Sturbridge -- the backup had nothing to do with the toll booths (we have E-Zpass, by the way). The problem wasn't even the merging at that point. The slow traffic continued more or less to Auburn -- it was just volume (where we were).

The transponders are not FREE. You pay .50 month for them. $6 a year for a "free transponder". Why would an infrequent user of the Pike pay a $6 surcharge per year to use a transponder??

The events of the last few weeks have shown me that the state government (and the MBTA) is only too happy to pit the residents of MA against each other instead of actually finding concrete solutions to the budget issues in regards to our roads, highways and public transit.

A textbook example of what's wrong with government (and big business) these days -- arrogance and stupidity! LeBovidge obviously has no concept of what it was like to be stuck in that traffic mess like we were (TWICE) on Easter. We have an E-Z Pass, but it didn't do much good because we still had to wait forever to get to the toll plaza before we could use it. Sounds more like an attempt to push for higher tolls and a higher gas tax. While I understand that budgets are stretched thin everywhere (including my own), I do not appreciate the arrogance LeBovidge has displayed toward us in this matter and suggest that Gov. Patrick either remove him or assign him to man a toll booth during rush hours and holidays!!!!

Come on guys, think about it. If more people had a Fast Lane pass, then the lines to the cash only lanes (required for tourists, etc.) would be shorter. So more Fast Lane transponders equates to shorter lines.

But my real problem is that the transponder is NOT free. It's now $6 per year. You may think that's peanuts now, but wait a few years...it'll be $50/yr before you know it.

I expect that the people in the cash lanes didn't have FastLane transponders because they use the turnpike maybe once a month. Probably many were from out of state. I think most who use the turnpike with any frequency already have a transponder.

The same thing happens (to a lessser degree) at Thankgiving at Sturbridge. And a lot of those people are from Conn and NY

Does

Fast Lane Transponders are only free for the moment. There will be a monthly fee put into effect shortly. I'm guessing they will create turmoil for drivers until a large percent of people get the transponders, and then put the monthly fee into effect. Gotta love MA.

What I would want is when a lane is both Cash and Fast Lane it should always be open even if it is only for the Fast lane. Why should it be closed just because it can't take cash??? NY is able to do this. I know we may have to get rid of the nice pretty signs and that may cost a hack a painting job but it would be worth it. This happen Monday and Tuesday this week trying to get on the Pike at route 30.

I suggest that the next time a backup of this magnitude happens, the drivers practice a bit of civil disobedience. Let's move the little orange cones and drive through all of those unmaned booths without paying. The turnpike will learn quickly what customer service is about .

Please make all the Cash lanes accept FASTLANE as well. That would be a big help.

Don't these morons get it? Many holiday travelers only travel the Taxpike on holidays or occasionally and have no regular need for a Fast Lane Transponder! Blow the toll booths up and lets get the part-time overpaid gang on Beacon Hill get responsible and put in the 20 cent gas hike or whatever with appropriate cost reforms and every Mass. citizen pays for the Big Dig boondoggle! And if you don't, believe it or not we're serious this time and we'll vote you out of office. We will remember.

I think it's false advertising -- these are not free, you pay .50 a month for it. Those of us who got one early on had to pay for it and now must also pay the .50 a month plus another amount if we want to get a statement mailed to our home. The tolls we pay should be for the road we are using, not the highway through Boston. East/West commuters are being robbed. I think we should have a class action lawsuit against the state and the turnpike authority.

Again - It's really simple

Raise the tolls (pike, tunnels and tobin) for non-Fast Lane users by $1.00 per manual collection - You don't get a transponder you pay extra...

Betting if this is done that in less than 30 days almost everyone will have a transponder...

Same here! What difference does a transponder make????? Unless there is a button that helps you fly over the miles of backup then everyone with a Fastlane will be in the exact same traffic. How arrogant are these people?! What is the answer for tourism? Are we going to sell transponders at the border? What about those that only need the pike to travel on holidays? This is such an unbelievable lack of foresight and an amazing lack of leadership.

I used to take the Pike from Natick to 128, and I have had Easy Pass since before MA even had Fast Lane, and if anything it made for a slower commute.

On any given morning, the 128 E bound toll has a backup at the fast lane lanes, and the cash lanes are open.

Granted once you go through the toll you sit in more traffic, but the reality is that the cash lanes are always open, while the EP lane is always backed up.

I take route 30 now most days. I refuse to pay a premium AND have a slow ride. On 30 I have a slow ride but it is free.

I have fast lane and still stuck in this gridlock. If you cant provide the service, you should have let everyone go without paying. You wasted our time and i am not happy. And yes fix the signs. Let people know to stay on the right for fastlanes.

Just so the Globe is aware, the "get Fast Lane to avoide holiday traffic" have been up since before the Easter traffic mess. I specifically recall them while driving into the city for the Sox opener. Just an FYI

I love it when people use comment sections of the Globe online and think that they are really speaking to the subject of the article / blog.

Like this is a 'Suggestion" box for Gov. Patrick, the state legislature, etc.

Absolutely comical.

I think it's false advertising -- these are not free, you pay .50 a month for it. Those of us who got one early on had to pay for it and now must also pay the .50 a month plus another amount if we want to get a statement mailed to our home. The tolls we pay should be for the road we are using, not the highway through Boston. East/West commuters are being robbed. I think we should have a class action lawsuit against the state and the turnpike authority.

They should have called in the salary supervisors to take tolls just like it was a strike. Since they didn't the Commissioner and supervisors should be FIRED. Oh wait, this is Massachusetts - Land of No Accountability. Just throw up your hands because of course nothing can be done about it.

Two problems
1) The transponders aren't FREE. They charge a service fee.

2) I have yet to see any news about making all the lanes accept Fast Lane. So now we'll just have more people involved in the big game of chicken when everyone is angling for one or two lanes. Why doesn't it work in ALL lanes like it does in other states that have it? Natick in particular is pathetic when entering the Pike because there's only one lane for Fast Lane, pretty much every night that lane backs up while the others don't -- and then everyone gets backed up everywhere.

Other states have figured this stuff out for ages. Why is Massachusetts so inept that they can't just copy what New York, New Jersey or Delaware have already done? They all have the same problems -- old infrastructure, tons of traffic, unions, inclement weather, etc.

Every news story about the way public resources are managed in this state just makes me feel like my tax and toll dollars are just going into some hack's pocket.

I suggest that the next time a backup of this magnitude happens, the drivers practice a bit of civil disobedience. Let's move the little orange cones and drive through all of those unmanned booths without paying. The turnpike will learn very quickly how important toll collectors are then.

Why not just drive through without paying? What are they gonna do, bill you for the toll?

Watch your statements the Mass Pike charges $2.50 to mail (USPS) your monthly statement, you can get it on line for free!!!!!

"Grin and bear it?" Sounds like the old rape adage of sit back and enjoy it. He should be fired. Also, if they advertise that having a transponder means not sitting in traffic, is this false advertising and are they legally liable for this?

WE ALL NEED TO BAND TOGETHER AND BOYCOTT THE TOLLS BY NOT TRAVELING ON THE ROADS FOR MEMORIAL DAY!! START PLANNING ALTERNATE ROUTES NOW.... ALSO, THOSE WHO DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE BUT TO USE SHOULD DRIVE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO SEND A MESSAGE. THE TAXPAYERS ARE NOT GOING TO TAKE IT ANYMORE!!!!!!!!!

It's not free, once they start charging $.50/month maintenance regardless of whether you use it or not. That makes no sense for the casual user unless you enjoy just handing money over to any quasi govt./govt. agency

Sounds like the MTA tried to put it's foot down on what I'm sure has been an accepted practice. Wait for colleagues to call in sick then pick up the shift at overtime rates having planned to work all along. It's all BS. Many of these tolls don't even break even. Shut 'em down. BTW, who cares about the blue lights on the Zakim, shut them down TOO

At this point i would pay any amount of gas tax to shutdown the Mass Turnpike Athority!

Having a transponder didn't help... Still took 1 hour to get on to the Pike from 128 South in the morning (I wasn't smart enough to use the trailer depot to swing around and try Rte 9), and 2 hours to get to 128 North from the Pike last Sunday. Interestingly, there was no signage on the Pike indicating any delays.

This makes nosense, if you were stuck in a 5 mile back up the transponder would have done you NO good, you ahev to be abel to get thru the toll gate..

Hey Dummies on the Turnpike Board,

How does a Fast Lane transponder help when you are stuck in 20 mile traffic backup due to ONE toll taker working??

You folks are missing the solution. Start a protest. everyone boycott the turnpike on the same day. You will
1. Deprive the Mas (hack heaven) turnpike with income.
2. Create a traffic jam on route 9 that will force the local town pols to put pressure on the state.

The Pike and LeBovidge don't quite get it. The problem was a lack of Fast Lane Transponders. The problem is that there will always be some level of cash lane users and unless the cash lanes are running relatively free the Fast Lanes will get choked off by the people staking at the cash lanes. This was the case Easter.

Additionally, the Pike only has some lanes that take the Fast Lane pass, unlike other toll facilities, like the Ted Williams Tunnel, Tobin Bridge, NH Turnplike roads (all four) and Maine Turnpike where all lanes take the passes. If the closed cash lanes could have taken Fast Lane pass travellers it would have helped.

Alan LeBovige is just crazy. It was criminal to have a single cash toll lane for people driving to Boston on Easter Sunday, causing eight lanes to stop and jockey and squeeze toward the center as cars whizzed past on both sides at 80 mph. We are fortunate that no one was killed, but any sane manager would have found a way to stick a few highway cops, secretaries or even nephews in the closed toll booths to alleviate the obvious safety problem at any cost. A manager who was both sane and human would have taken such precautions in advance. And only a manager who is absolutely unfit to run a public authority would engage in this insulting barrage of excuses. The death of even one family would cost the turnpike more than they could save by repeating this act 365 days a year. Any sensible person knows that there is a sizable portion of the population that will not get E-Z passes. For occasional visitors such behavior is sensible; for older citizens it is understandable. To behave as though the public is responsible because twenty thousand people will not each scramble to go out and automate their toll payments to reduce the turnpikes salary costs is shameless.

That's what you get for hiring a CPA out of Cooper/Pricewaterhouse

I'm getting sick and tired of these Greater Boston types (who think that the world begins and ends within their geographical limits) who insist that every motorist should purchase a Fast Lane pass. I live about 20 miles south of the city and travel on the Pike once or twice a year on average. Thus, a transponder would be useless to me. That, however, doesn't stop the chorus of zealots who want me to waste my money on such an extravagence. Would you people please take the time to realize that the majority of the citizenry lives beyond the Pike service area and has no use for this expensive gizmo?

I voted for healey

Bring back the baskets and fire the hacks - combined with Fastlane technology all booths could be open 24/7/365 at a minimal expense. Use the generated revenue to maintain the roads, as intended.

If you drive straight through the toll "to send a message" without paying, You will have a Video Toll which is like 50.00 or something, and it will be sent to your house.

This happened to me once when my transponder didnt send the signal and the light didnt change color... but i kept driving anyhow.. Then I got a fine in the mail..

Why can't the state do Fast Lane like they do in New Jersey? if you're driving on the Parkway they have lanes where a driver can go 55 MPH and be credited on their EZ Pass account. Those paying cash has their own separate lanes staffed by two toll takers. Yet for some strange reason the Pike forces us to scramble to find our lanes and go 15 mphs.

Just get an EZ-Pass from NY, they're free and work in the Fastlanes.

I say just drive through the damn toll and dont look back.

Screw fastlane put people back to work

Who cares about the blue lights??? Every day I hear Deval The Hack on the radio asking businesses to come to Massachusetts. Every day!!!. And now after this state has spent billion's and billion's of our dollars on the central artery and every other project to upgrade the city of Boston we turn around and shut the lights off the key architectural center piece of the BIG DIG!!!. And now just after unsuccessfully handing his pal Marian Walsh a $175,000 a year government gig that hasn't been filled in 10 years, we can't find $5,000 a month to keep the only non-eye sore of the whole Big Dig lit up in the night sky? When will it end??

i hate the fastpass. I just recently got one after many months of arguing with my significant other. I finally gave in so i could shut her up. The fact that the state is able to track where i go and the time i am there is horrible. whats worse is they are able to call this information into evidence should it be needed. The big brother aspect is the only reason i hate the pass. access to my accounts, my whereabouts and most probably someday auto tickets based on average speed from toll to toll. They should have a contract that states none of these will be done.

What a joke! Just avoid the pike and seek alt routes. Stop using the pike then they will have to eliminate the tolls.

I was stuck in that traffic and appalled to see that there was one Cash toll booth open. That's something that should never happen irrespective of what day it is. It was a crap experience and I felt like I wanted to tear my hair out!

OK it's simple. About 1-2 miles before the Allston tolls, in the very right lane, designate it as Fast Lane only- just like an HOV lane where people cannot get in or out of. That would at least incentive people that have Fast Lane or want to buy fast lane by not waiting bad traffic. Why can't we do this?

BTW, it took us 6.5 hours to get from southwest CT to Weymouth. Thanks 84/90 tolls and Allston!

This is the solution (previously said):
Raise the tolls (pike, tunnels and tobin) for non-Fast Lane users by $1.00 per manual collection - You don't get a transponder you pay extra...

Just make the cash folks bear the cost of that collection (I bet it's morethan a dolalr once we stop subsidizing them)... and the FastLane folks bear the (very cheap) cost of electronic collection.

We'll get rid of the $70k a year cashiers in a hurry.

I have an idea! Get rid of the Turnpike Authority fire the toll takes take the tolls down! This would solve the traffic jam problem. The Turnpike has been paid for for years...the tolls had to go after that. Another example of too much Government! Recall Deval plus vote out as many stiffs in the Legislature as possible.

The Mass Turnpike Authority along with the MBTA need a good cleansing - - the top dogs arent doing their jobs.
I could have both systems saving money and running smoothly if given the opportunity.
Stuff like this makes MA look pretty corrupt and pathletic.
Way to go !!

1. I have a transponder. Still I sat on Pike eastbound 40 min at 128 on sunday.
2. Every other state has Fast Lane in EVERY lane, not just some lanes. How hard is that?
3. I am always sympathetic to the workin' man, but....it is pretty much the rule in the private sector that taking a sick day before or on a holiday equals no pay, without a doctor's letter. (and try to get a doc to write a letter these days!)

Of course they fail to mention that they are going to use the fastlane pass to track people. The whole thing is a mess. Let's face it, we need a new governer!

Time to do away with the entire turnpike system. This has been a disgrace since it's inception. Just a place for the relatives of Mass politicians who can't get an honest job out in the real world. Has anyone in Massachusetts ever heard of a "Freeway"/

Transponders are a great idea, but they DON'T help a bit if traffic's already backed up over the CT line coming onto I-90 from I-84, as it was the Sunday evening after Thanksgiving 2008 when, as was the case AGAIN Easter weekend, there's only a couple cash toll takers. It's only part of the solution.
Also part of the solution is receivers at ALL lanes, manned or not, and consistent, well marked transducer lane placements, in addition to adequate manpower.

Time for us to pick a day to bring the pike to a halt. We need to remind those on Beacon Hill who really is in charge here.

I was stuck in that traffic on Easter and a transponder would not have helped, as others have noted. It will be a cold day in hell before I get a transponder. I wouldn't trust this state to tamper with any of my financial accounts. This backup was due to incompetence and mismanagement, pure and simple. And it all starts from the top. Fortunately, I don't use the Pike very often. But Route 9 is starting to look real good to me.

ZIPCAR users aren't allowed to use FastLane. People should be allowed to get a transponder even if they don't own a car.

it is not Just Easter Sunday, it happended on a Saturday in February, and the line was backed up so bad that it caused an accident they need to get rid of the tolls or put in a cash only exact change lane if you travel the pike you should have the 5 quarters it takes and you can move along but no on this day it was one lane cash and fast lane but you couldnt even move the traffic was so bad.

Where is this money coming from to push the Fast Lane passes?

Nobody's been laid off from the Turnpike so when are they working and why not at rush hour and on holidays?

I wouldn't trust this state with access to my account. They've already screwed people once with incorrect charges.

How about those drivers who only use the MassPike a few times a year?

Also, the transponders are not free. The turnpike authority charges you $0.50 per month.

I refuse to get a transponder.
I avoid the Pike as much as possible.
Get rid of the corrupt, patronage-laden Turnpike Authority!

As Ronald Reagan would have said---Mr. Patrick, tear down those toll booths!

For all those who are complaining about the $6/yr fee, do you realize you have a lower fee than cash users? If you drive from Framingham through the Weston tolls, you save $0.25. Take it back, and you save $0.50/day. Say you take that trip 300 times a year, you're paying $150 less than cash users. Anytime you want to give me $150 for my $6, give me a call.

Memorial Day Boycott!! Let's send a message!!! GET THE WORD OUT...

Here is a suggestion to prevent this from happening again: the people of Massachusetts should find out where Alan LeBovidge lives and burn his house down to the ground! Maybe then he will get the message not to treat the public like animals and will staff the tolls properly!

There were calls for the resignation of LeBovidge. He shrugged and said the traffic jam was not a safety issue and no one got killed.

Where are the calls for the resignation of the head of maintenance in the Boston Fire Department after THAT fatality?

I like the idea of civil disobediance. Screw the MTA, Screw Deval, Screw the overpaid hacks, Screw Martha Coakley, Screw DeLeo, Screw both Murrays. Bring back Bill Weld.

You see where this is going don't you. Soon transponders will be built into cars. Scanning devices will pick up where your car travels and you will be taxed on every other road. There will be no need for toll booths or toll takers, just toll payers. It is no suprise that the Ministry of Transportion is pushing for transponders.

Was it LeBovidge who said the yearly $6 fee for the "free" transponder is about the cost of a turkey sandwich? How arrogant is this guy? It is 50 cents a month this year, what will it be next year? Give them an inch they will take miles. Get rid of the fee(s), give out the transponder to all users. Bring back the coin basket!!!

"Get Fast Lane"

Another brain-dead response from our brain-dead bureaucrats appointed by our brain-dead politicians who most of you would reelect in a heartbeat.

Keep some toll takers if you must, but it's time for Massachusetts to follow the example of New York (and others) and equip all lanes with Fast Lane access. That way, all lanes will keep moving. The signs are not always accurate and there are always exceptions to which lanes are open at any given time. Come on Massachusetts, fix the glitch!

Keep in mind that tolls, while collecting revenue, also provide a designed traffic retraint to control volume. Increasing Fast Lane use will just cause more traffic backup on all of the exit points, as too many exits dump traffic into a one lane exit ramp. Traffic can therefore only be reduced by limiting volume AND expanding exit ramps beyond the tolls.

They should take some money out of the billboard/marketing budget to pay for toll workers on holiday weekends.

The toll system in Massachusetts is unfair to the commuters traveling on the Pike, bridges and tunnels. Making these commuters pay tolls while allowing other commuters traveling on 93 to do so freely is inequitable. To spread the burden equally the state should tear down the toll booths and levy a gas tax, or add toll booths to 93. Either way the burden should be shared by all.

FedUpWintgovernment: your remark is offensive. Go picket outside his office, cal your state rep, but don't threaten him or his family,

At least someone has the guts to say if there is no money to spend, don't spend it. It may be just the point that needed to be made that the system is broken. But, Easter Sunday was a stupid day to make the point.

When the government ignores the will and needs of the people, it is time for a revolution! The next time something like this happens, every driver should run through the tolls without paying. Fastlane/EZ Pass should remove their tags and run through the tolls without paying. Maybe then the state will realize they would be better off staffing the tolls properly rather then losing out on the toll fees!

For you technological luddites, just freaking GET ONE already. I gave the finger to all you jackasses last sunday for keeping the rest of us who aren't afraid of technology backed up for miles. Do you still have a rotary phone and bunny ears on your TV? So many posts say you don't trust them with your account. So conspiracy theory. WHen you use a credit card, you are protected against fraudulent charges. So when (if) they screw up and overcharge you you just get the credit reversed and dispute it. You pay a discounted rate throughout the Northeast, PA, NJ, NY all have discounted tolls for EZ-Pass/Fast Lane. Get a grip! DO IT!

Why are all of you people in cars? I'd bet half of you could have used a bus or Amtrak. And Fedupwithgovernment, #78, destroying someone's property (and possibly the neighbors'), and possibly their lives (via fire) is not the way to make a statement. And STOP calling it a "holiday" weekend, Not all of us believe in your superstitions.

Fastlaneuser's comment was right on.

This is for eric: please keep your finger to yourself. As commentators #15 and 19 pointed out, not everyone takes the Pike every day so a transponder would actually be a waste of money. I am not a "technological luddite" as you have so unfairly described, but because I travel the Pike less than 12 times a year, why would I pay for something I am not going to use? Instead of pushing this device on every driver, it is quite apparent that the MTA needs better management and the need to reevaluate the signage, the number of Fast Lanes available, etc.