4/3/08 - One-stop shopping for commuters?

That’s what state transportation officials were aiming for today as they unveiled a plan to sell Fast Lane transponders and MBTA CharlieCards at Registry of Motor Vehicle offices.

The RMV branches in Watertown and the Eastfield Mall in Springfield will be the first to offer the program. The idea is to allow people to take care of their transportation needs in one place.

Transportation Secretary Bernard Cohen said it was also an effort to "break down barriers" between the various state transportation agencies, and to expand FastLane usage.

Already the Turnpike has lowered the price the transponders from $25.95 to $20.95. It’s also shifted from manual toll collection to FastLane collection at four lanes — one in the Sumner Tunnel, one westbound in Weston and two eastbound in Weston.

Registrar Anne Collins and Massachusetts Turnpike Authority executive director Alan LeBovidge joined Cohen at the Registry office in Watertown to announce the six-month pilot program.

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