New York City transit officials said on Monday that traffic fell by 7.5% last week and 273,000 fewer cars entered Manhattan's central business district after the United States' first congestion pricing fee took effect on Jan.

The scheme aims to ease New York's notorious traffic problems and raise billions for the public transport network. Most drivers are charged $9 once per day to enter the congestion zone at peak hours, and $2.25 at other times.

New York City's Metropolitan Transit Authority says preliminary data shows the introduction of congestion pricing has led to a sharp cut in traffic in the first few days.

The MTA released a report Monday showing traffic heading into New York City was down a week after the new congestion pricing plan went into effect.