The Thruway and its consultants conducted the study with funding from the Federal Highway Administration's Value Pricing Program.

The base Tappan Zee Bridge toll is $3.00, collected only in the east-bound direction. But drivers using the bridge at least 17 times per month pay only $1 - the Thruway Authority estimates that over 75% of rush hour drivers pay the $1 rate.

While the study finds that the direct effect of higher peak prices is the shift of a significant number of drivers to other travel times, it also found that some travelers - who now shun peak hours due to congestion - return to them once the peak/off-peak price break has eased traffic flow. The finding reflects the willingness on the parts of many commuters to pay a higher toll if it means less time spent in traffic.

Tappan Zee Bridge
Toll Scenarios and Estimated Peak Hour Traffic Volume Effects

Toll scenarios

"Shoulder" periods are 6-7 a.m. and 9-10 a.m.

Present-day toll is $1 for daily commuters. "Shift into peak" under pricing scenarios represents drivers who now avoid the peak because of congestion, but would shift back and pay the higher toll to take advantage of the freer flow of traffic created by the peak/off-peak price break.

Tappan Zee Congestion Relief Study Final Report

Surveys of Tappan Zee Bridge travelers conducted as part of the study found that over 50% of all respondents either strongly favored or somewhat favored congestion pricing on the Tappan Zee Bridge, once they had received some information about congestion pricing's likely effects and benefits, while about 30% were opposed or strongly opposed. There was virtually no difference in opinion between men and women, or between low, middle or high income levels.

The survey also found that many travelers have some flexibility and will actively consider time-of-day shifts when peak period prices are increased.

Interviews with I-287 corridor employers indicated that "congestion is a problem, contributing to employee tardiness and stress." Some indicated that "it is difficult to attract and retain employees from west of the Hudson River." Many employers felt that an incentive pricing program would not necessarily affect customers or clients, many of which are already located in Westchester County.

The Final Report's conclusion states: "The analyses conducted for this study indicate that pricing can be used to change the behavior of a reasonably large number of travelers...the overall peak period traffic reduction is clearly significant enough to warrant serious consideration in the congested Tappan Zee corridor."

Results will provide Governor Pataki's I-287 Task Force - charged with finding solutions to corridor gridlock - with solid data showing that pricing strategies can improve traffic flow.

A toll strategy is in fact one of the few highly effective early action strategies available to the Task Force (see story at left). The Task Force may be interested in offering additional bus and van services across the Tappan Zee Bridge, but to make them attractive, it will have to get traffic on the bridge moving, and it will have to make the choice to take transit at least somewhat competitive with driving. Compared to the very low $1 toll for car commuters, the bulk discount for Tappan Zee Express bus riders is $1.80 roundtrip. Today's bridge travel prices encourage solo-driving during the most congested hours, and provide no financial or time-saving incentive to use transit.