Drivers who normally cut through Central Park by using the West Drive may have to find a new route.

Starting Monday, cars are only allowed on the West Drive from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. — an hour less than what was previously permitted. The park's East Drive will stay open from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and both roads will still be closed on weekends.

Cars used to be allowed there from 7 unt il 10 weekday mornings.

"This basically gives us the 7 to 8 a.m. window, where people really like to get out and exercise and enjoy the park before they get to work or get to school,” said Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.

The change continues a trend toward decreasing the presence of cars in the park. It also mamkes the park more welcoming to New Yorkers looking to squeeze in a little early-morning exercise.

"This is one of the busiest times that people are out walking biking exercising, just enjoying the park. So the extent that we can have that be a car-free experience for them, a safer experience for them, is obviously really important,” said Sadik-Khan.

"We are completely thrilled. It used to be that the cars started streaming in at 7 a.m. and now the cars you know stay out for an extra hour,” said Paul Steely-White of Transportation Alternatives. “It really gives people a whole another 60 minutes to get their morning workout in."

"Having the whole road just makes it much safer for all of the cyclists,” said cyclist Earl Osbourne.

On the first day of the new regulation Monday, signs alerted drivers of the change, but some still didn't get the message, instead making their way around blocked off entries to the drive.

One cab driver who talked with NY1 wasn't expecting to be shut out of his usual shortcut from 110th to 59th Streets.

"I was surprised, really surprised, I have a passenger in the car, he's late for his job. I was very, very surprised. This is a trap,” said the driver.

Another driver also didn't think the closing was such a great idea.

"I think it is not necessary at all. I think it needs to be open,” said another cab driver, who added that the new rule is going to be very inconvenient for him.

But others would rather see no cars in the park ever.

"I'd prefer to see no cars or hear no cars,” says Central Park pedestrian Lorna Weiner.

City officials say the new hours are in line with the park accessibility portion of PlaNYC.

Transportation Alternatives would eventually like to see a car-free park. The next milestone they are shooting for is a car free summer in 2008, not only here in Central Park, but also in Prospect Park in Brooklyn.