You’d think FAST LANE makes life easier getting you through tolls faster. But if you’re account does not stay current which can occur quite innocently, FAST LANE makes you’re life slower – and harder.

My account briefly was not current because a the expiration date on my credit card was not updated. I thought I had updated it in time, but apparently not. So we got three tolls violations in New Hampshire.

I wrote about the experience a couple of weeks ago. Here’s the update.

I called Mass FAST LANE this morning to find out if my updated and functioning account would cover the three violations which total $9 (three $2 tolls plus a $3 processing fee). She said is perfect bureaucrat-ese “Oh, we don’t cover New Hampshire, but I can give you the number.”

I fumed. I had been on hold listening to irrelevant instructions for 15 minutes. I asked if violations get picked up automatically by my credit card on file. She talked right through my question about something I did not care about.

So I am sending New Hampshire a check for $9 because I can’t stand calling to so-called service center. Maybe this is all working according to the FAST LANE plan – be such a thorn in your side, you won’t screw up again. But it’s infuriating.

So you think firing all the toll-takers and installing FAST LANE gear is cheaper. Think about this: there’s a whole new FAST LANE bureaucracy behind the scenes, processing violations, credit cards and generally being a pain.

I’m giving back my transponders and getting back in line.

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