Mass Pike hiring again, not firing toll collectors

After a week in the crosshairs of hostile media for Easter backups at toll plazas, the Massachusetts Turnpike has changed course. Executive director Alan LeBovidge is now saying he'll call off the planned June layoff of 50 collectors (called 'takers' in local Mass lingo) and begin hiring part-time seasonal collectors for summer and holiday peaks of traffic.

LeBovidge says he accepts full personal responsibility for the Easter backups which were as long as 8 miles (13km) on the evening of April 12 and lasted many hours.

LeBovidge says he was so concerned to conserve the Turnpike's cash reserves he overrode objections to overtime call-ins of collectors to replace those who stayed away sick. Senior staff predicted large backups, he says, and he now regrets his decision to proceed regardless of their advice.

Now he says he'll give top priority to customer service saying public outrage over unmanned toll booths and long backups was "understandable."

The Turnpike is in a serious loss situation at present toll rates but LeBovidge is confident the Turnpike board will not back away from the July 1 toll increase they have promised if state taxpayer support for the Turnpike is not forthcoming.

TOLLROADSnews 2009-04-22