Transportation Commissioner James Simpson, who is also chairman of the turnpike authority board, said the move is a direct response to a recent article on the Smoking Gun Web site. It obtained 550 letters from motorists complaining about toll collectors' behavior, mostly their rudeness.
Simpson admitted the agency got "a black eye" from the publicity.
Simpson said new uniforms and a new name for toll collectors also are being considered as well as awards for good customer service.