Traffic in New York City has descenden since a congestion accuse scheme for vehicles came into effect on 5 January, articulate officials say.
The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) shelp 273,000 scanter cars accessed the central business dicut offe from Monday to Friday, with traffic descending by 7.5% contrastd with assesss for January week days without the scheme in place.
The congestion fee – the first of its comfervent in the US – accuses car drivers up to $9 (£7) a day, with varying rates for other vehicles.
The congestion zone covers an area south of Central Park, taking in such well-understandn sites as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the financial dicut offe around Wall Street.
“The timely data backs up what New Yorkers have been telling us all week – traffic is down, the streets experience defendedr, and bparticipates are moving rapider,” shelp Janno Lieber, who heads the MTA.
Motorists are also saving time, while local and convey bparticipates are moving rapider, especiassociate in the morning commute, the MTA posted on X.
The scheme aims to relieve New York’s notorious traffic problems and elevate billions for the uncover articulate nettoil.
Most drivers are accused $9 once per day to access the congestion zone at peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.
Small trucks and non-commuter bparticipates pay $14.40 to access Manhattan at peak times, while huger trucks and tourist bparticipates pay a $21.60 fee.
While the accuse has been greetd by many, it has come apassed plenty of opposition.
The most high-profile opposition has come from Plivent-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 urprohibit area for the second year in a row, according to INRIX, a traffic data analysis firm.
