According to the MTA, inbound trips from the Hudson and East Rivers were 10 to 30 percent faster than last year. Those driving in the congestion relief zone (all local streets below 59th) saw travel time improvements as high as 59 percent during afternoon peak hours, the MTA said.

Is NYC's congestion pricing working to improve traffic in Manhattan? Here's a look at the MTA data for the first three weeks.

The MTA released new numbers on Friday showing that despite some perceptions, the controversial tolling program has made a big impact on the number of vehicles in Manhattan.

New York's congestion pricing has led to 1 million total fewer vehicles entering the busiest part of Manhattan and cut commuting times since the program began on Jan. 5, a transit agency said on Wednesday.

Drive times into Manhattan have dropped dramatically since the institution of New York’s congestion tolling program, according to data released Wednesday by the MTA — with the most significant improvements at the Holland Tunnel.

CNBC's Mike Santoli reports on the latest news.

The MTA previously reported that the new fees, which launched on Jan. 5, led to 7% fewer vehicles entering the tolling zone south of 60th Street during the first several days they were in effect, compared to a similar period last year.