Early data from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority suggests that traffic has dropped around Manhattan’s core.

NEW YORK (AP) — A new toll on drivers entering the core of Manhattan brought modest but measurable traffic reductions to New York City’s heavily-gridlocked streets in its first week of operation, according to preliminary data released Monday by the state’s transit authority.

The MTA released a report Monday showing traffic heading into New York City was down a week after the new congestion pricing plan went into effect.

The scheme aims to ease New York's notorious traffic problems and raise billions for the public transport network. Most drivers are charged $9 once per day to enter the congestion zone at peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.

A new toll on drivers entering the core of Manhattan brought modest but measurable traffic reductions to New York City in its first week of operation

Traffic in Manhattan's central business district fell by 7.5% last week and 273,000 fewer cars entered the borough's central business district after the first congestion pricing fee in the U.S. took effect on Jan.

New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority says preliminary data shows the introduction of congestion pricing has led to a sharp cut in traffic in the first few days.

Traffic in Midtown and lower Manhattan was down nearly 8% after the first full week of congestion tolling, according to preliminary traffic data released Monday by the MTA. “It has been a very good week here in New York,