The MTA is boasting success in the first month of congestion pricing.

The controversial tolling plan went into effect on Jan. 5.

South Bronx Unite, a group that works to improve social, environmental and the economic future of Mott Haven and Port Morris, says the South Bronx has had the bear the burden of the success.

"We notice heavy traffic in the afternoons, not so much in the morning, but in the afternoon, it's been really stagnant, we've actually heard there is actually a 9% increase in traffic in the afternoon on the highways that incircle us, so we're concerned" said Mychal Johnson, the founder of South Bronx Unite.

Johnson has been a strong advocate against the tolling plan citing environmental impacts on neighborhoods in the South Bronx, including the contribution of air pollution and the impacts to air quality.

The toll charges drivers entering Manhattan below 60th Street, with a goal to improve traffic speeds and raise a billion dollars annually for the MTA.

“We have an MTA funding issue; I don’t think the south Bronx should bear the burden for funding the MTA who's trying to make the city accessible." said a community member during the groups monthly meeting.

In its first month, the MTA says drivers in the congestion relief zone are seeing improvements. Drivers in the congestion relief zone are seeing travel time reductions during peak hours, especially in the afternoon as high as 59%, according to the MTA.

“Before the start of congestion relief, talk of lawsuits and doubts dominated the conversation, but now it’s the undeniably positive results we’ve been seeing since week one,” said MTA chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “Better bus service, faster drive times and safer streets are good for all New Yorkers.”

While it's too soon to tell how air quality is being impacted, South Bronx Unite says they have about 40 monitors strategically placed throughout neighborhoods to collect their own data. Johnson says they plan to add an additional 20, to bring their total to 60 to monitor air quality. Johnson says preliminary data from their monitors will be released in the coming weeks.