The long-awaited $10 billion renovation of the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan broke ground on Thursday. Crews have started work on the first phase, which involves overhauling the aging building’s foundation and support structures. Commuters will see construction barriers in the main concourse, but very little disruption of bus schedules.
New Temporary Entrance Opens
A new temporary entrance on 41st Street opened this morning, to accommodate additional pedestrian flow at the station during construction. Wider turnstiles, brighter lights and digital signage have made the upgraded access point easier to navigate for passengers traveling through construction. Officials said the first day of operations went smoothly, despite some crowding at rush hour.
Improved Security Measures Implemented
From today, all passengers will go through enhanced security screening with a new scanning system. The wait times are decreased by 30% when compared to the existing methods and higher detection can be achieved. More cops and bomb-sniffing dogs are now walking the terminal because of “enhanced summer security operations.”
Air Conditioning Upgrades Bring Relief
Just in time for the summer heat, they finished critical cooling system upgrades yesterday. Terminal temperatures now hover at a pleasant 72 degrees, a relief from years past when parts of the building rose to over 80 degrees on hot days. Maintenance crews will keep a close eye on the new systems this week while a heatwave bears down on the city.
Real-Time Bus Tracking Expanded
The terminal today released an updated version of its bus tracking app, offering minute-by-minute updates on all 2,500 bus movements each day. The system also is predictive, meaning it uses analytics to send alerts to passengers about delays before they happen. Digital signage boards around the terminal also saw software updates to improve consistency and display success.
It’s been great, man, with more (local) vendors of food opened up.
Eight new food vendors opened today, as the terminal seeks to assist small businesses. The newcomers are a Brooklyn bagel shop, a Harlem soul food stand and an artisanal coffee roaster in Queens. Bestselling OG vendors have moved to pop-up locations for the time being while work commences.
Accessibility Improvements Completed
New wheelchair waiting areas, tactile guidance trails and hearing-enhanced customer service booths were to open today. The improvements move the 70-year-old terminal closer to being completely ADA-compliant, with a motivating factor being the 2026 deadline. Its mandate is to be upgraded with more lifts in the coming months.
Commuter Complaints About Congestion
Even with the changes, many riders this morning said they had to wait longer than usual because passageways were narrower in construction zones. Port Authority officials are encouraging riders to give themselves extra travel time, and to pick off-peak hours to use the terminal when they can. Extra staff are deployed to manage the passenger streams.
Overnight Cleaning Intensified
A new deep-cleaning program that started overnight featured crews concentrating on high-touch surfaces and sanitation in restrooms. The terminal has updated to hospital-grade disinfectants and UV sanitizing equipment to help keep things clean. Commuters in the early hours this morning reported the facilities being far cleaner today.
Electric Bus Charging Stations Added
The terminal’s subterrestrial facilities have been equipped with 12 new chargers, ahead of New York’s all-electric bus shift. Eventually, most buses are expected to run on diesel, but the first electric buses are set to start serving New Jersey routes later this month. The charging will extend to new sites around the country later in the year.
Lost and Found System Modernized
A digital lost and found tool went live today that allows customers to upload photos while filing claims online. The enhanced process cuts customer wait times from days to hours in most cases. The physical lost and found is still in the same place, but they have extended their evening hours.
