Traffic in New York City has dropped since a congestion charging system for vehicles went into effect on Jan. 5, transportation officials say.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) said 273,000 fewer cars entered the central business district from Monday to Friday, with traffic down 7.5% compared to estimates for weekdays in January without the scheme.
The congestion charge – the first of its kind in the US – charges car drivers up to $9 (£7) a day, with different prices for other vehicles.
The congestion zone covers the area south of Central Park, including well-known sites such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the financial district around Wall Street.
“The initial data backs up what New Yorkers have been telling us all week — traffic is down, streets feel safer and buses are moving faster,” said Janno Lieber, who heads the MTA.
Riders also save time, as local and express buses move faster, especially on morning trips, the MTA announced on X.
The plan aims to ease New York’s notorious traffic woes and raise billions for the public transit network.
Most drivers are charged $9 once a day to enter the congestion zone during peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.
Small non-commuter trucks and buses pay $14.40 to enter Manhattan during peak hours, while larger trucks and tour buses pay $21.60.
Although many welcomed the accusation, it was met with a lot of opposition.
The most prominent opposition has come from President-elect Donald Trump, a native New Yorker who has vowed to end the scheme when he returns to office this month.
Last year, New York City was named the world’s most congested urban area for the second year in a row, according to INRIX, a traffic data analysis company.
