E-Z Pass Changes Pose Potential Problems For Tappan Zee Bridge Commuters

ALPINE, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Commuters beware -- some changes to E-Z Pass could make your drive more complicated, and expensive.

New Jersey drivers will no longer get a commuter plan discount for travel over the Tappan Zee bridge. In order to get the $420 in savings, drivers must apply for a New York pass.

Around 3,400 New Jersey commuters will now need two passes, CBS2's Janet Wu reported.

"Doesn't sound so easy for me. I want to be able to take my New Jersey E-Z pass over to New York as well. I drive there all the time," Nicole Suto, of New Jersey, said.

The New York Thruway Authority said it won't make more money from the change, which they say will eliminate having to go through New Jersey to collect New York tolls.

"To provide the best customer service to customers with our discount plans, It would be best to have those customers serviced directly by us," the Transit Authority said in a statement.

Affected drivers will have to keep track of two E-Z passes and two separate bills. Adding to the pain, drivers will actually have to switch out their E-Z passes while driving over the Tappan Zee, or else they could get charged twice.

"If you forget going across to New York and you only have the New Jersey one, it might come back and bite you later," one commuter  said.

If you keep two E-Z passes in your car, keep the other one in the silver sealed bag it came with, so both devices don't get charged.

The change takes affect next month.

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