Gov. Charlie Baker vetoes pilot program for cheaper tolls in off-peak hours

Gov. Charlie Baker on Friday vetoed a pilot program that would have given drivers a toll discount for traveling at off-peak hours.

The Legislature, in its version of the state budget, passed a pilot program that would have reduced toll rates at certain times and locations to test whether congestion pricing could potentially reduce traffic.

But Baker returned the proposal with an amendment turning it into a commission to study congestion.

Baker said the Legislature was “putting the cart before the horse” by moving ahead with a plan before studying whether it might work. He said there were numerous issues related to congestion that should be looked at before deciding to test one method of easing traffic.