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.

The introduction of a $9 congestion fee has resulted in faster speeds on some of the city’s famously snarled streets and fewer commuters on the bridges and tunnels. “The traffic is absolutely less, even during rush hour,

Data from the first week of New York City’s congestion pricing shows the policy brought a small but noticeable dip in traffic in Manhattan.

In the days since, total traffic in the tolling zone has dropped by 7.5% — or roughly 43,000 cars per day — compared to the equivalent period last year, Metropolitan Transportation Authority officials said.