Free Turnpike Transponders to be Handed Out at Pittsfield Farmers Market

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier and Jessica Vecchia of the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market have collaborated to bring the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s E-ZPass Van to the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market, on The Common on First Street, on Saturday, Aug. 6, from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. to distriubute free transponders for the Massachusetts Turnpike.
 
MassDOT is currently in the process of transitioning to All Electronic Tolling (AET) for I-90, both directions. MassDOT intends to test AET software during the summer of 2016 and to activate AET by the end of the year. A previously scheduled "go live" date in the month of October will occur if software testing goes as planned before September.
 
To help local constituents sign-up for the free transponders, Farley-Bouvier contacted the Downtown Pittsfield Farmers Market and MassDOT with the idea to have the EZ Pass van at the market. A couple years ago the same initiative occurred and the response was overwhelming. As a result, this year MassDOT decided to bring two vans on Aug. 6.
 
AET gantries, placed over the road and equipped with sensors, will electronically register tolls from vehicles that pass under any gantry. Drivers will no longer have to stop at a toll plaza and will be able to maintain a safe highway speed.

Pittsfield Starbucks Closed Temporarily

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:39PM / Wednesday, July 17, 2024

A sign outside the coffee shop assures customers the closure is only temporary. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Your alarm goes off, you get ready, and you leave for school, work, or whatever your appointment a little bit early to get a cup of coffee to start your day, only to find that the Pittsfield Starbucks, located at  555 Hubbard Ave., is closed. 

 

The sign has been removed, and the drive-through is blocked, but Starbucks coffee addicts need not worry — this closure is only temporary. 

 

The coffee shop closed its doors temporarily on July 7 to undergo a standard renovation with the chain's new Siren System, a Starbucks spokesperson said. 

 

According to the signage, the reopening date is projected to be Aug. 21. 

 

According to its website, the Siren System is part of the chain's Starbucks Reinvention plan, which aims to improve the experience for partners and staff by responding to changing needs and increasing demands. 

 

"As a standard course of business, we continually evaluate our store portfolio using various criteria to ensure we are meeting the needs of our customers," the spokesperson said. 

 

The chain's article on unveiling its innovations said, "Over the past few years, the number of cold beverages ordered has surpassed the number of hot drinks year-round. And, two in three drinks ordered have requested customizations such as extra espresso shots and flavorings."