SPRINGFIELD – Although the plan to eliminate the toll-takers and the toll plazas and go to an electronic system is still scheduled to begin Oct. 28, officials from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) are now seeking the public’s reactions to the toll schedule for the new system.

Less than 20 area residents attended a hearing on Sept.  14 at Springfield City Hall at which, following a presentation about the changes to the turnpike, public comments were solicited. The deadline for comments is Oct. 5 and comments can be made by email at AETinfo@dot.state.ma.us.

Stephen Collins, the director of Statewide Tolling, explained the move to All Electronic Tolling started in 2010 with a feasibility study completed in 2012. He explained the motivation to eliminate the present system was to reduce the carbon emissions caused by idling at tollbooths and to increase the flow of traffic.

Collins said that annually 7,800 tons of carbon into the atmosphere will be eliminated and there will be fewer maintenance costs associated with the turnpike.

The plan is now to “go live” on Oct. 28. All of the 500 Turnpike employees who take tolls will be eliminated and demolition on toll plazas will begin, he explained.

Travelers on the Turnpike will have to pay either by having a transponder or by receiving a bill in the mail. Rates for the travel without a transponder will be more expensive and there will be a surcharge for the billing, he added.

Collins assured people that information collected by the system “will not be retained longer than needed.”

Although the bonds to pay for the “western Turnpike” – the term state officials to describe all of the roadway west of Weston –will be paid back in January 2017, Collins explained the roadway is not in good condition and requires $134 to $142 million a year for repair and upkeep. Tolls are therefore necessary.

He said the toll, if using a responder, will be about the same and in some instances may be lower.

Collins said the new toll structure “is designed to maintain the existing level of income.” He added MassDOT has a commitment “to be as revenue neutral as possible.”

The cost for a trip from the New York border to Boston will remain about the same under the transponder system.  He said the current rate for the length of the Turnpike is $6.60 and the new fee would be $6.15.

Collins said transponders are now free and one member of the public attending the hearing asked if there would be a credit for those who had to spend $28 to get one. The answer was no.

Another hearing attendee questioned whether or not it was necessary to have a bank account to have a transponder. Collins said cash could replenish the account by going to one of the seven customer service centers.

For more information, go to www.massdot.state.ma.us/highway/tollinformation/allelectronictolling.