New York became the first U.S. city to launch a congestion charge zone, following years of delays and legal challenges, Oliver Barnes of The

New York on Sunday became the first US city to launch a congestion charge zone, after the controversial scheme aimed at easing traffic and raising billions of dollars for local transit was beset by years of delays and legal challenges.

New York City's congestion pricing went into effect in the center of Manhattan on Sunday, one day after a federal judge rejected a request from New Jersey officials to halt the program. Why it matters: The Metropolitan Transportation Authority says the first road toll policy of its kind in the U.