Port Authority unveils plans to replace aging Manhattan bus terminal

Big changes are planned for the New York City Port Authority Bus Terminal.
After years of talks, research and public input, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey revealed on Thursday its plans to revamp the aging Port Authority Bus Terminal.
The terminal is 70 years old and has not aged well. And ridership is only expected to increase by 30% over the next 20 years.
“It’s out of date. It was not designed and can’t handle the volume and modern buses,” says Port Authority executive director Rick Cotton.
The final proposal to replace the entire terminal was unveiled virtually.
“So, it’s time to give those passengers who have been using this facility…a brand-new, world-class facility,” said Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole.
The 2 million-square-foot facility will be built on the existing property. A temporary terminal will be used during construction. The new building will include 160 bus gates on five floors, community green space and 21st-century technology, amenities and retail space. New ramps are coming for easier access to and from the Lincoln Tunnel. And a second, new building will store and stage buses, so they won’t crowd or pollute city streets.
Officials say that there is still a lot that must be designed, plus some environmental and engineering work to do. But the new Port Authority Midtown Terminal is expected to be functional in less than 10 years.
The plan still needs approval from the Federal Transportation Administration. The Port Authority has not yet said how much the project will cost. But says that funding will come from capital funds, development deals and hopefully federal assistance.