The MTA held a cheery celebration to unveil a new “Congestion Relief Zone” sign in Manhattan just hours before drivers will feel the pain as the controversial toll goes into effect in the Big Apple.
The agency’s CEO Janno Lieber personally unveiled a sign showing the new $9 dollar toll at one of the entry points to the zone in lower Manhattan.
Video put up on Instagram by the MTA shows a crowd of toll supporters cheering Lieber as he stood in a crane and revealed the price sign.
At midnight, the MTA will begin the $9 charge for passenger vehicles during the peak hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends.
The drivers will be charged $2.25 during all other times to pass into Manhattan’s busiest neighborhoods.
The video of the cheery celebration drew jeers from opponents of the toll online.
“How do you cheer for this,” one person commented on Instagram.
Another wrote: “Who’s celebrating bro… like who is happy to pay more ugh.”
Small trucks will be charged $14.40 during peak hours while large trucks will be charged $21.60.
The new congestion pricing will be the first of its kind in the nation.