Loathed New York City bus terminal is bound for an upgrade

NEW YORK (AP) — New York City's main bus terminal, long ridiculed for leaky ceilings, dirty bathrooms and frequent delays, could be in for a major overhaul.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled a proposal Thursday to rebuild and expand the embattled midtown Manhattan bus terminal.

"Everyone knows the bus terminal. Very few have anything good to say about it," Port Authority Executive Director Rick Cotton said. "It is way past time that this building be replaced."

The new station would be built on top of the existing one, with sleek, glass-walled entrances and added infrastructure to accommodate more buses. Ramps that stretch across several blocks would be moved, and a storage building would be built to keep empty buses off the streets.

Construction could begin in 2024, finish by 2031 and cost as much as $ 10 billion, the Port Authority said. About $3 billion would come from selling rights to build four commercial buildings in the area, including one atop the terminal. It would also require local and federal funding.

The Port Authority Bus

Terminal opened in 1950 at Eighth Avenue between 40th and 42nd streets near Times Square. A statue of Ralph Kramden, the fictional bus driver from "The Honeymooners," stands outside its main entrance.

Prior to the coronavirus pandemic, the terminal handled more than 250,000 passenger trips on weekdays, many commuting from New Jersey.

Submitted Photo Morgan Wilburn, left, 2020 volunteer coordinator for St. Francis County Area Salvation Army tells Debbie McCluskey, Donna Daniels and Wendy Stevens, all with Debbie's Flowers in Forrest City, that they won a mini competition through the Salvation Army. Over the past few months, several local businesses competed to raise money for the Salvation Army. Money raised will go back into the St. Francis County community. Also pictured are volunteers Lee Sanders, assistant coordinator Autumn Clincy and Dorothy Kiyumbi. The Salvation Army provides assistance to those in need.