With congestion pricing now in effect, Hudson Valley commuters are being encouraged to use mass transit to avoid the added fees.

Metro-North's Croton Harmon train station is one of the many hubs seeing increased activity, with commuters opting for the train over driving into the city.

A round-trip peak ticket from Croton Harmon to Grand Central costs $30.50, while a 10-trip peak ticket costs $152.50, and a monthly ticket costs $299.75.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has also proposed a major investment in the Hudson Valley's rail service, aiming to cut travel times by up to 15 minutes each way for certain trips.

The plan includes a new "super-express" service, reducing travel times between New York City and Poughkeepsie to under 90 minutes.

Congestion pricing, is meant to reduce traffic gridlock in the densely packed city while also raising money to help fix its ailing public transit infrastructure.

Drivers of most passenger cars will pay $9 to enter Manhattan south of Central Park on weekdays between 5 a.m. and 9 p.m. and on weekends between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. During off hours, the toll will be $2.25 for most vehicles.

The fee — which varies for motorcyclists, truck drivers and ride-share apps — will be collected by electronic toll collection systems at over 100 detection sites now scattered across the lower half of Manhattan.

AP wires were used in this report

The MTA approved several exemptions including for low-income drivers, emergency and government vehicles as well as school and commuter buses.

Ride share options including taxis will not be charged the toll but instead will pass a fee onto passengers.

Fore more information visit, https://congestionreliefzone.mta.info/.