All-Electronic Tolling System Brings New Rates For Some Drivers

The state's all-electronic tolling system goes into effect at the end of this month -- and for 63 percent of rides taken on the Massachusetts Turnpike by drivers who use an E-ZPass transponder, the cost will stay the same or go down. However, for drivers who don't have a transponder, rates will go up.

On Thursday, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) Board of Directors approved rates for the new system that begins on Oct. 28. (You could determine what the cost of your trip is going to be with MassDOT's toll calculator.)

"MassDOT received over 100 comments during the public process, and we adjusted our rate proposals according to the feedback we received," Tom Tinlin, MassDOT highway administrator, said in a statement.

Those without transponders will be mailed invoices -- and will be paying the highest rates.

On Wednesday, according to the MassDOT statement, the state approved a retention period of seven years for these so-called "pay by plate" records.

"We're in the toll business. We're not in the speed business. We're not in the spy business. We're in the toll business," Tinlin said, after the rate meeting. "By hanging on the to the information for seven years, it ensures that we're going to make sure that people pay their tolls."

Only MassDOT and the agency's private vendor have access to that information, Tinlin said, addressing concerns about data privacy.

E-ZPass transponders are free, and MassDOT says they could be obtained within five to seven days.

With reporting by WBUR's Steve Brown