New York City’s controversial congestion toll came into effect Sunday at midnight, taxing Midtown Manhattan drivers as much as $9 to make their way around the busiest part of the city. The congestion pricing system will charge drivers entering Manhattan below 60th street $9 during the peak hours of 5 a.

The program had defied many obstacles over the course of decades. It debuted over the weekend on what seemed to be a successful first day.

New York’s new toll for drivers entering the center of Manhattan is starting up after it withstood years of political wrangling, a last-minute pause and a flurry of legal challenges.