New York becomes first US city with congestion charge

The first US car payment system has gone live in New York.

Drivers pay up to $9 (£7) a day, with different prices for other vehicles.

The complex is located south of central park, taking in famous landmarks such as the Empire State Building, Times Square and the financial district around Wall Street.

The plan aims to reduce New York’s notorious traffic woes and raise billions for public transit, but has faced opposition, including from prominent New Yorkers and President-elect Donald Trump.

The congestion charge was first raised by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul two years ago, but was delayed and reconsidered following complaints from commuters and businesses.

The new plan revives one plan he suspended in June, saying “there are many consequences that have not happened to New Yorkers”.

Most drivers are charged $9 once a day to enter long-term traffic jams, and $2.25 at other times.

Small cars and non-passenger buses will pay $14.40 to enter Manhattan during peak hours, while large cars and tourist buses will pay $21.60.

The case has been widely criticized, including by taxi operators.

But their biggest opposition has come from Trump, a native New Yorker who has vowed to destroy the scheme when he returns to office this month.

Local Republicans have already called on him to intervene.

Congressman Mike Lawler, who represents a rural district north of New York City, asked Trump in November to commit to “put an end to this senseless tree seizure”.

A judge rejected an eleventh-hour effort on Friday by neighboring New Jersey state officials to block the plan due to environmental damage to the neighborhood.

Last year, New York City was ranked as the world’s most populous city for the second year in a row, according to INRIX, a data analysis firm.

Traffic in downtown Manhattan averaged 11 mph (17 km/h) during the early morning hours in the first quarter of last year, the report said.