Mass Pike Fast Lane Violation Scam

Edit: This issue is resolved, and while I may not agree in totality with the reasons, I do appreciate the response and have written a blog post on a more positive experience: (squeeky wheel gets grease eats crow)

Original Post:
The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority was kind enough to send me a couple of notices to inform me of what a disgusting scam they have been able to use our tax dollars to set up. I put it right up there in terms of honesty with those telemarketers who try to sell people auto warranties on ten year old cars. Don't take my word for it, here is some text taken directly from a violation notice. (edit: more on FAST LANE Fee Scams)

If you are a FAST LANE or E-ZPass customer, you are encouraged to fill out the Appeal Form that was included with the Toll Violation Notice. If your appeal is accepted the $50.00 violation fine will be waived and you will be required to pay only the missed toll amount and a $5.00 administrative fee.

This seems pretty straightforward, if you ignore several facts:

1. I had my transponder in the car and it was registered.
2. My credit card on the account had expired, the ONLY needed remedy was for them to notify me of the issue so that I could update the card information.
3. They sent a picture of my license plate, and used the Registry Of Motor Vehicles database to look up my registration information.

Of course, the appeal form asks for a FAST LANE account statement. The same statements that they have not sent me in a few years now. So I set it aside and said "I will have to deal with that later.". Later came when, a month later, the two $50 violations became two $90 violations. A competent company, that wasn't trying to fleece anyone would have made this a single $5 fee. The Mass Turnpike Authority wants $180.

So I appealed the violation. I was informed that I would need to FAX in my appeal, and then call back in two days, because they don't notify people of their appeal results. They ask you to write an appeal and fax them, and just like they can't be bothered to lookup your account information, they can't be bothered to tell you the result of your appeal.

When I called, I was informed that my fine was reduced from $180 to $60. No mention was made of the fact that this $60 should have been a $5 administrative fee. AT this point I paid, since my car needs to be re-registered, and they sent a notice to the RMV that I owe them money.

So what we have here is a state run agency, that has setup a system designed to cause overcharges, with an annoying process that only removes a portion of the charges... EVEN WHEN IT IS CLEARLY THEIR OWN SYSTEM THAT CAUSED THE CHARGES.

This is a scam pure and simple. It is blatant, and I cannot recommend that anyone in the state of MA get a FAST LANE pass or use their E-ZPass within the state. If you have an E-ZPass, put it in a metal box when you enter MA. Do NOT risk using the FAST LANE system, it just isn't worth it.

That is, unless you like the idea of having to write an appeal just to be overcharged $55 for their mistake. In that case, enjoy!

Of course, if you don't like what a scam the MA FAST LANE system is, then you COULD complain to these people.