fast lane

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Fast Lane is the RFID electronic toll collection system used in Massachusetts. Fast Lane is used on the Massachusetts Turnpike, Sumner Tunnel, Ted Williams Tunnel, and Tobin Bridge. It is also accepted at one parking structure operated by the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. Fast Lane is fully interoperable with the many E-ZPass facilities in other states, however, since mid-2002, FastLane users receive a discount on some tolls that E-ZPass users do not enjoy.

History

Toll booth at the junction of I-84 and the Mass Pike (exit 9).

The original electronic toll collection system in Massachusetts was called MassPass and was installed at the Ted Williams Tunnel. This system was scrapped and replaced by the current E-ZPass-compatible system in 1998 for the Ted Williams Tunnel and the Massachusetts Turnpike Boston extension and extended to the rest of the turnpike in 1999.

When the system was first introduced, AAA gave out to its Western Massachusetts members an orange Fast Lane pass. This pass could be used from exits 1 to 6 without toll because these exits do not currently charge tolls. The orange passes are still used today, however, they are being phased out as they approach the end of their service life. Replacement with a standard transponder is required.

Sponsors

As of 2005, the system is sponsored by Citizens Bank for the Massachusetts Turnpike and tunnels, and by TD Banknorth for the Tobin Bridge (formerly administered by the separate Massachusetts Port Authority). [1] Along the Turnpike it is branded the Citizens Bank Fast Lane, whereas at the Tobin Bridge it is branded TD Banknorth Fastlane. From 1995-2005, Fleet Bank (formerly Bank of Boston) used to sponsor the Fast Lane system and was the founding financial institution of the local system along with the Massachusetts Turnpike.

Cost

Consumers are no longer required to pay the cost of the transponder. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority had planned to charge a $0.50 monthly fee to customers, but this plan was recently canceled due to plenty of criticism on Masspike Easter Sunday congestion^[1].

Notes

External links

• Massachusetts Turnpike
• Massachusetts Port Authority
• 1st Circuit opinion in Doran v. Massachusetts Turnpike Authority upholding FastLane only discounts
• FAST LANE web site