EAST LONGMEADOW – Representatives from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation will be issuing E-Z Pass transponders for free on Oct. 25 at the Pleasant View Senior Center to coincide with the Massachusetts Turnpike’s plan to eliminate cash toll booths in late October.

Council on Aging (COA) Director Carolyn Brennan told Reminder Publications the event would grant seniors accessibility in obtaining a transponder.

“It’s about convenience and making it more accessible,” she explained. “It’s making the seniors more aware that it’s something they have to do – there is no choice. They’re going to get charged a surcharge because they’ll take a picture of their license plate if they go through and don’t have a transponder. They’ll just get billed.”

She added the event would take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and encouraged individuals wishing to attend to sign up in advance. Anyone planning to attend should bring their vehicle registration and driver’s license.

Although the transponders at the event are free, there is a first come, first served basis, and individuals should also bring money for a starting balance in their E-Z Pass account, she said.

Brennan said she believes transportation is one of the most important factors in having elders remain independent.

“That’s why we focus on two town trollies; we focus on doing the [driver’s license renewals] here, and anything like this that’s new and can be a little daunting for seniors,” she noted. “We’re going to do everything we can to keep seniors as mobile as possible.”

A license renewal event is also set to take place the following day at 11 a.m. for anyone between the ages of 55 and 74, Brennan said. License renewals take place at the senior center every fourth Wednesday of the month.

She added the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles trained one of the COA’s volunteers to help seniors renew their licenses. Seniors seeking to renew their license should bring a credit card or information such as a bank routing number and checking account number, and an email account. They should also have no unpaid tickets or fines.

“I don’t like going to the registry and waiting in line,” Brennan said. “And I think it’s just intimidating for the seniors to have to drive down there and find parking and wait in line.”