Frequently Asked Questions about the Bridge Pass for the Grosse Ile Toll Bridge
Q: What is the Bridge Pass and how does it work?
A: The Grosse Ile Bridge Company (GIBC) established the Bridge Pass during 2005 to save customers time and money when crossing the Toll Bridge. The Bridge Pass is also a key part of the GIBC's plan to improve traffic flow across the span whenever the Wayne County Bridge is closed. As of January 1, 2009, thousands of Islanders and hundreds of other customers of the Toll Bridge have purchased a total of more than 7,000 Bridge Passes.
Bridge Pass customers are provided with a small, pocket-sized plastic device called a "Bridge Pass Tag" which must be mounted (with provided mounting strips that work like Velcro) to the inside of a vehicle's windshield. The Tag communicates by radio frequency with the antennas in the toll plaza at the Toll Bridge. As a customer's car passes through the toll plaza, the computer system automatically deducts the user fee toll from his or her prepaid toll account that is established by purchasing the Bridge Pass.
It is permissible to use one Tag in multiple vehicles as long as each is in the same vehicle class (cars, SUVs, pick-up trucks and motorcycles are all Class 1 Vehicles) and registered on the original Bridge Pass application or added later.
Q: How much does it cost to purchase a Bridge Pass?
A: For an owner of a car, SUV, pickup truck or motorcycle (all Class 1 Vehicles), purchasing a Bridge Pass requires a customer to use cash, a check or a credit card (a credit card is recommended for automatic account balance replenishment) to prepay $40 of user fee tolls (26 crossings at a rate of $1.50 per one-way crossing) plus make a $25 refundable (i.e., you will get it back if you return the Bridge Pass Tag in working condition) deposit for use of the Bridge Pass Tag.
The Bridge Pass does not have an expiration date and prepaid tolls remain in a customer's account until used. If at any time a customer wishes to end utilization of the Bridge Pass, the $25 deposit will be refunded along with any unused prepaid tolls when the Tag is returned in good working condition (it is important to understand that the Tag costs the GIBC $25 to purchase from the manufacturer).
Commercial accounts for Class 3 through Class 6 Vehicles require a greater amount of prepaid user fee tolls than Class 1 Vehicles. More information about commercial accounts and rates for Class 3 through Class 6 Vehicles can be found by viewing the User Fee Toll Fares on this web site or by contacting the GIBC Bridge Tag Office by phone at (734) 282-2914 or by e-mail at grosseilebridge@sbcglobal.net.
Q: How do I track and replenish my pre-paid user fee toll balance for my Bridge Pass account?
A: There is no charge to replenish the prepaid user fee toll balance in your account. A Class 1 Vehicle owner with one Bridge Pass is required to prepay an additional $40 of user fee tolls only when his or her balance drops down to $5 (after 24 one-way across the Toll Bridge).
At that point, the GIBC may give you one courtesy call to remind you to replenish your balance. At any time you can obtain an "Activity Report" and check on the status of your account by contacting the GIBC Bridge Tag Office by phone at (734) 282-2914 or e-mail at grosseilebridge@sbcglobal.net.
Q: Can I have more than one Bridge Pass Tag registered on my Bridge Pass account?
A: Yes, but the replenishment amount for prepaid user fee tolls will increase if two or more Bridge Pass Tags are registered to a single account. For example, if two Tags are registered on a single account, when the prepaid toll balance drops to $10 (2 Tags x $5 minimum balance = $10), the account owner will be asked to replenish his or her account by adding an additional $80 (2 Tags x $40 of prepaid tolls = $80).
Therefore, if one Tag will be used much more than the other Tag in the household, it may be best for billing purposes if each Tag in the household is registered on a separate account. Of course, it is possible to use just one checking account or credit card to pay for two Tags registered on separate accounts.
Q: Will I save money by using the Bridge Pass?
A: Yes! With use of the Bridge Pass, the user fee toll rate for cars, SUVs, pickup trucks and motorcycles (all Class 1 Vehicles) is $1.50 for a one-way crossing of the Toll Bridge. This is a 17% decrease from the tokens price of $1.80 per one-way crossing and 25% less than the $2 cash price per one-way crossing.
If you are driving a Class 1 Vehicle, it is worth considering that the cost savings with the Bridge Pass will exceed the value of the $25 refundable (i.e., you will get the $25 back if you stop using the Bridge Pass and return it in good condition) deposit cost in 42 round-trip uses (less than 3 months for daily commuters). Commuters using the Bridge Pass five days a week for round-trips could annually save more than $150!
Q: Will I save time by using the Bridge Pass?
A: Yes! Because no interaction with an attendant is required, the Bridge Pass provides the fastest way for vehicles to travel through the toll plaza at the Toll Bridge. Vehicles in the Attended Lane pay the user fee toll with tokens, cash or credit cards, so the attended lane will not move as quickly as the Bridge Pass-only Lane which enables you to pass through the toll plaza in just a few seconds. But, given the Bridge Pass Tag actually works in both the Attended Lane and the Bridge Pass-only Lane, you can always go through the lane with the fewest number of vehicles in line.
Q: How do I buy a Bridge Pass?
A: You must first read the GIBC Bridge Pass Tag License Agreement and submit to the GIBC a signed Bridge Pass application with the proper payment (both the agreement and application can be downloaded at by clicking here). Purchasing a Bridge Pass requires you to use cash, a check or a credit card (a credit card is recommended for automatic account balance replenishment) to prepay $40 of user fee tolls plus make a $25 refundable deposit for the Bridge Pass Tag.
Completed applications with all types of payments can be dropped off at the toll booth or trailer in the toll plaza. Applications with check or credit card (but not cash) payments can be mailed to the GIBC, P.O. Box 24, Grosse Ile, MI, 48138. In addition, applications with credit card payments can be faxed to the GIBC at (734) 362-0926.
Complete applications with proper payments are processed in up to 15 business days depending on customer demand. After processing is finished, the GIBC will mail you an activated Bridge Pass Tag that must be mounted in your vehicle for use (written user instructions plus mounting materials will be included with the Tag).
Updated February 1, 2009
