Traffic in New York City has decreased since the vehicle congestion charge system went into effect on January 5, transportation officials said.
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 weekday estimates in January without the scheme in place.
The congestion charge – the first of its kind in the US – charges motorists up to $9 (£7) per day, with varying rates for other vehicles.
The congestion zone covers the area south of Central Park, and includes famous sites such as the Empire State Building, Times Square, and the Financial District around Wall Street.
“Early data supports what New Yorkers have been telling us all week — traffic is lower, streets feel safer, and buses are moving faster,” said Janno Lieber, who heads the MTA.
Car drivers also save time, while local and express buses move faster, especially in the morning, the MTA posted on X.
The scheme aims to alleviate New York's notorious traffic problems and raise billions for the public transportation network.
Most drivers charge $9 once a day to enter a congestion zone during peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.
Non-passenger vans and buses pay $14.40 to enter Manhattan at peak times, while large vans and tour buses pay a fee of $21.60.
While this charge was welcomed by many, it faced a lot of opposition.
The most high-profile opposition came from President-elect Donald Trump, a native New Yorker who has vowed to eliminate the scheme when he returns to office this month.
Last year, New York City was ranked as the world's most congested metropolitan area for the second year in a row, according to INRIX, a traffic data analysis firm.
