New York’s much-debated plan to charge drivers to enter the center of Manhattan is set to take effect Sunday just after midnight, following years of bureaucratic and legal roadblocks. The goals of what is known as “congestion pricing” are to reduce gridlock and pollution and raise revenue for public transit.

New York City congestion pricing, the first-in-the-nation tolling program​, got underway Sunday with no major issues, the MTA said.

Drivers entering the center of Manhattan on Monday faced their first morning rush hour paying $9 to access the busiest part of the Big Apple during peak hours.