By Y.M. Lowy

Orange County drivers are getting a break on the toll when crossing the Gov. Mario M. Cuomo Bridge, or, as many still call it, the Tappan Zee.

A new resident discount created in the 2026-27 New York State Budget will give eligible Orange County drivers a 20% discount off the standard New York E-ZPass rate. The toll will drop from $7.25 to $5.80 per trip for passenger vehicles.

There are no minimum number of trips required to receive the discount. To qualify, drivers must have an E-ZPass NY account in good standing, with an Orange County address listed on the account.

Each participating E-ZPass tag must also be connected to a unique license plate registered in Orange County.

Drivers who want to receive the discount should update their E-ZPass account by October 13, 2026. Before then, make sure your Orange County-registered license plate is listed on your account and that your account information is up to date.

The discount may not seem like a huge amount on a single trip but the savings can add up.