My husband, son and I moved here just over a year ago when housing became unaffordable in southern Maine. I knew at that time that in order to continuing working in South Portland and use the turnpike for my travels that I would have to go through the New Gloucester tolls. It increased my commuting costs, but I now had my own home so it wasn’t so bad.

The Maine Turnpike Authority is now saying that they are transitioning to the multi-state E-ZPass system and passing along the costs to the people who travel the highway. They never asked commuters if we wanted to be able to travel multiple states with one pass, they just made this change and told us the cost later. Right now I am paying $66.15 per quarter to travel from Lewiston to South Portland. With the new E-ZPass system, my costs will rise by about 50 percent. The only other option I have is to get off at the Gray (Exit 63) exit and pay less but wait for over 30 minutes to get off at that exit.

I thought the turnpike widening was already paid for. And besides, that section of the highway wasn’t widened.

The toll plaza should be more centrally located. I don’t have a choice in the matter.

If the MTA is going to charge such an exorbitant amount of money to travel their road, the state should give some sort of commuter assistance program.

Patti Lynch, Lewiston

Editor’s note: Commuters can sign up for significantly reduced tolls through the Maine Turnpike Authority’s Commuter Plan.

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