Feb 26, 2008 12:41 pm US/Eastern
All-Access Commuter Pass Pays For T, Pike & More?
BOSTON (WBZ) ―
It's an idea that might not make your commute any cheaper, but it just might make paying for that commute a lot more convenient.
Massachusetts Turnpike Authority officials are floating the idea of a "one-size-fits-all" device that could pay for everything from MBTA rides to highway tolls and parking at government facilities.
One commuter we talked to was all for anything that would save him time and make things more convenient.
"I use the turnpike and I use this garage; and if something would make things more convenient for me, then that would be great," he said.
However some other commuters were skeptical, while they would like the convenience, they wonder how much it would cost upfront.
Others we spoke to said it wouldn't affect them at all, because they use either the T or the Pike and not both.
Keep in mind, this plan is in the early stages. The turnpike still needs to find a company that can come up with a system to electronically link the agencies together. Bids for that begin March 25th.
The turnpike's executive director, Alan LeBovidge, says the agency is accepting bids from firms to create those links through through changes to its toll collection system.
LeBovidege told the Boston Herald he'd like to see one device take care of all of a person's transportation needs.
The Turnpike currently offers Fast Lane transponders for tolls, while the MBTA has the CharlieCard.
Transit and turnpike officials have met to discuss ways to link the systems, but the availability of technology is unknown.
LeBovidge says the turnpike also wants to create pre-paid toll passes similar to a phone card.
Several options are being considered for how to pay for the card. Right now t
he plan is for the tolls and T fares to come directly from a bank account or credit card like the current Fastlane program.
Also keep in mind that there is no timetable for how long this transformation might take. Plus, t
he MBTA has already promised improvements to the Charlie Card in the past, for example being able to use it at T parking garages, and on the commuter rail. Officials have also said commuters would be able to access their Charlie Card account online. So far, none of those improvements have happened yet.
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