New York City introduced a controversial driver congestion charge on Sunday, becoming the first city in the US to implement such a scheme, despite significant opposition.

The plan, announced by Governor Kathy Hochul in November, requires drivers to pay a toll of $9 to enter areas of Manhattan south of Central Park, effective January 4.

This initiative revives a previous proposal that was put on hold in June after Hochul acknowledged there were “too many unintended consequences for New Yorkers.” Originally, the fee had been set at $15.

The scheme has drawn sharp criticism from Republican lawmakers, who have called on President-elect Donald Trump, a New York native, to intervene and cancel the plan. Many businesses in areas surrounding New York City have voiced concerns that the charge will harm their operations and make it harder for their residents to commute into Manhattan.

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New Jersey state officials also tried to block the scheme on environmental grounds, but a judge rejected their request on Friday, clearing the way for the tolling plan to proceed.

The tolling system aims to reduce congestion and generate funds for New York’s subway system. Hochul stated that the plan was revived after a new assessment indicated it would be more effective with a lower fee.

However, the scheme has faced opposition from various local officials, including some from New York City boroughs, as well as from a major trade group representing haulers. Taxi driver associations also expressed concerns, as while their members will be exempt from paying the fee, passengers will face a surcharge.

The congestion charge applies to vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, including the key business districts of Midtown and Wall Street. Around 700,000 vehicles enter this area daily, contributing to gridlock, where average speeds can be as low as seven miles per hour, and even slower in some parts of the city.

There are several exemptions to the fee, along with a discount program for low-income drivers and those who enter the toll zone more than 10 times a month.

While similar schemes have been implemented for years in cities like London and Stockholm, New York’s congestion charge will be closely watched by other US cities to assess its impact on traffic and revenue.