With 2016 coming to a close one question New Jersey commuters have is when will work begin on a new Port Authority Bus terminal. Also, why can't the government from both states agree on a deal to build one and where to put it. The current terminal is not only too old it is unsafe for humans and motor vehicles. Constant delays on this project have made it seem like it will never get started and commuters will have to get into midtown by bus this way for another fifty years. New plans have been coming out for years showing places to put a new terminal including one block west and another actually in New Jersey.
Several days ago a small break came when New York governor Andrew Cuomo released a statement saying that 3 million would be spent from his state and 500 million would have to come from the federal government. This was reported in a Bergen Record article from December 9th. If this is true could shovel's be in the ground soon enough? Most likely no as it has taken this long to get Cuomo to agree to anything. With any luck commuters can hope that 2017 will at least bring the plan closer and maybe the following year shovels.
If you are one of the "Lucky" commuters who has to commute to Port Authority bus terminal you know how old and dirty the building is. It is also unsafe, when traveling in I noticed my bus had to closely sneak through a corner and not hit a wall and another bus. Also as one bus was pulling out of a gate, mine was right behind that one and trying to pull into another one. The current terminal is just too small for these buses and it will be hard as things continue to get bigger to keep up in this current building. There even have been pedestrian deaths in the past as riders chase after buses that are departing and can not see them. All sort of trouble is happening in this building.
The plans that have been put out have included everything from building the terminal one block west to having it in New Jersey. The simplest idea you would think would be to have the terminal built one block over. However, with all buildings and real estate prices in the city, it is not that easy. Think of all the lawsuits alone it would create papers were signed tomorrow on a new building. Then there was the idea that a terminal could be built in New Jersey and have a two bus ride into the city or perhaps switch to the train like in Secaucus currently. Also, the plan to move the seven train to the north jersey sounds fun but that will never happen.
For the meantime, all we can do is pressure our lawmakers to get a new safe and easy to use bus terminal. One where we don't have to worry about busses running into things or running us over. Commuters can only hope in ten years or less at least one portion of a new building will be up and running. If not it could be hurtful to both economies. First, new jerseyans won't want to travel to the city to work. They will look for jobs closer to their homes or in-state. Also, the city will be hurt by less tax from travelers from the state coming in to work and play. Hopefully, both state governments see what the results would be and get a move on it.
