The money raised from tolls will be used for essential repairs to New York City’s subways and buses. Without the upgrades, the system risks a meltdown.

After Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) ordered an indefinite pause of congestion pricing last June, MTA officials paused some plans, including halting work on the $7.7-billion Second Avenue Subway Phase 2. The project, which is the costliest project being funded in part through the toll program, is planned to extend the line 1.8 miles and add three stations.

Fans of the tolling system enjoyed easier drives, but some businesses reported a hit.

Preliminary data from the first week of New York City's highly debated congestion pricing program shows the country's first such plan of its kind is working, officials said. "The purpose of the program is to reduce the number of vehicles entering what had been the most congested district in the country,