Pedestrian traffic on New York City’s busiest streets increased in January even after motorists began paying a new toll to drive into those same neighborhoods.

More people visited the Business Improvement Districts within Manhattan’s congestion relief zone in January than during the same month last year, dispelling some business owners’ fears the toll would deter visitors to Manhattan’s core, according to new Economic Development Corp. data shared with Crain’s.

Wednesday marked exactly one month since congestion pricing started in New York City. It’s the nation’s first and only tolling plan of its kind, and new numbers show that not only is it having a dramatic impact on the roads,