The MTA held a cheerful celebration to unveil new “de-congestion zone” signs in Manhattan, hours before drivers felt the pain of controversial toll roads in the Big Apple. .
The agency's CEO, Janno Lieber, personally unveiled a sign at one of the entrances to the zone in Lower Manhattan showing the new $9 toll.
A video posted by the MTA on Instagram shows a crowd of paying supporters cheering as Lieber stands on a crane and reveals the price symbol.
At midnight, the MTA will begin charging cars $9 during peak hours: 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
Drivers will be charged $2.25 to enter Manhattan's busiest areas at other times.
Video of the cheerful celebration drew jeers online from opponents of the charge.
One person commented on Instagram: “How do you support this?”
Another wrote: “Who's celebrating…someone who's willing to pay more or something?”
During peak hours, small trucks will be charged $14.40 and large trucks will be charged $21.60.
This is the first time in the country that the new congestion charge has been set.
