The first congestion pricing plan in the U.S. has begun, charging most drivers $9 a day to enter the lower half of Manhattan. The long-debated plan is projected to raise up to $800 million a year for the city's aging public transit system.

Manhattan commuters are already marveling at what appears to be less traffic — and grousing about the new $9 tolls.

While commercial trucks entering Manhattan will be charged depending on the truck size and time of day, there are workarounds.