Congestion toll in New York takes effect, a first in the United States

Motorists entering Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods will now face up to $9 in congestion charges, as New York City’s first traffic congestion relief zone was officially launched on Sunday.

New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority said the area opened at 12:00:01 a.m. Sunday morning and was “fully operational.”

The project aims to alleviate New York’s notorious traffic problems and raise funds for public transportation. It goes into effect despite last-minute efforts from neighboring New Jersey and local opposition, including President-elect Donald Trump.

Under the rate plan, most cars entering Manhattan’s central business district — which stretches from 60th Street to the southern tip of the financial district — must pay a $9 peak fee from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. weekdays and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 9 p.m. on weekends.

Off-peak hours you will receive 75% off – $2.25.

Small trucks and non-commuter buses will pay $14.40 to enter Manhattan during rush hour, while larger trucks and tour buses will pay a fee of $21.60.

Motorists will only be charged once per day, and exemptions include certain emergency and government vehicles, as well as low-income drivers and those with health conditions that prevent them from using public transportation. School and commuter buses are also exempt.

The MTA predicted there would be 10% fewer cars and trucks after tolling began. MTA leaders also promised that billions of dollars raised from congestion pricing would be used to modernize the system across the region.

The program was reinstated after Gov. Kathy Hochul pushed to revive it after two years of delays and revisions amid complaints from travelers and businesses who don’t think the fare is fair.

But the real race was to get the prices approved before Trump took office in January.

Trump, a New York native, has pledged to scrap the plan when he returns to the White House, and Republicans have already urged him to intervene.

The charges also began as planned despite a last-ditch attempt by New Jersey to block the project on environmental grounds. The New Jersey lawsuit, worth tens of millions of dollars, predicts environmental damage if traffic worsens on the other side of the river.

While the judge ruled that the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) will have to intervene, the MTA told NBC New York last week that it has the green light to proceed with congestion pricing.

In response to the New Jersey lawsuit, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said she had offered money to resolve the problem, but no agreement had been reached.

“We have made several offers to settle this lawsuit, very generous offers,” Hochul said previously.

New York may be the first U.S. city to adopt a congestion charge, but similar systems have long been in place in cities like London and Stockholm.