RMV to close Spfld branch and 10 more

BOSTON (AP) - The state Registry of Motor Vehicles is closing 11 branches statewide and opening five new branches in a move it says will save $1.7 million annually.

The branch closings will begin this month in Lowell and end in December in Boston.

Branches are also closing in North Attleboro, Cambridge, New Bedford, Springfield, Southbridge, Framingham, Falmouth, Eastham and Beverly.

The new branches will be opening at Massachusetts Turnpike offices, toll plazas and visitor centers, where the Registry won't have to pay rent.

New plazas in Boston and Charlton will be full service. Branches in Natick, Bourne and Peabody will be "express" branches, meaning they'll offer only core licensing and registration services.

To limit wait times, the RMV is increasing efforts to direct customers to its Web site for routine transactions.