The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey just scored the final thumbs-up from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) and New York City to replace the aging Midtown Bus Terminal with a sleek, state-of-the-art facility. After years of reviews, meetings, and approvals, the $10 billion project is officially ready to roll. The project is expected to create approximately 6,000 good-paying union construction jobs.
What’s Next?
With permits in hand, construction kicks off early next year, starting with deck-overs above Dyer Avenue. The new terminal is set to be a game-changer for commuters and the surrounding community. Think 2.1 million square feet of modern infrastructure, all-electric buses, shiny retail spaces, and a stunning multi-story atrium.
Why It Matters
Serving over 250,000 passengers daily, the current terminal is a relic from 1950 that’s struggled to keep up with the hustle and bustle of modern-day New York. The new design isn’t just about capacity; it’s about making commutes smoother, streets less congested, and the neighborhood more vibrant.
“We’re delivering a world-class travel experience to and from Manhattan,” said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul.
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said the project will bring “modern, safe, and reliable transit” while boosting connectivity across state lines.
“By replacing outdated infrastructure, we will deliver the modern, safe, and reliable transit infrastructure that New Jerseyans deserve. The new bus terminal will increase connectivity on both sides of the river, creating an even stronger, more economically vital and easily accessible region,” Murphy said.
Community Perks, Sustainability
The Port Authority’s construction plan for the new bus terminal is being developed with input from bus carriers, customers, the local community, world-renowned engineering and construction experts, and innovative architectural and design firms.
The revamp goes beyond buses. Expect 3.5 acres of green space, local-friendly retail, and reduced congestion from rerouting intercity buses off the streets. Plus, the new terminal will embrace sustainability with net-zero emissions, LEED certification, and cutting-edge tech.
Current plans provide for a phased construction approach with the staging and bus storage facility to be built first, so that it can serve as a temporary terminal while the existing terminal is demolished and rebuilt.
A Look Ahead
Construction will happen in phases, starting with a temporary terminal and new ramps by 2028, with the main terminal ready to impress by 2032. The proposal eliminates the taking of private property as it would be built on existing Port Authority property stretching as far west as 11th Avenue
Funding for the project is expected to include Port Authority capital funding for a significant portion of the cost, federal loans, development rights and PILOTs approved by the city for several potential new commercial developments including above the new bus terminal.
The project is expected to be constructed in phases, with a temporary terminal and new ramps completed in 2028 and the new main terminal completed in 2032.
About the Midtown Bus Terminal:
What is now the world’s busiest bus terminal opened in 1950 and expanded capacity in 1963 by converting parking space to a fourth level of bus operations and adding three new levels of public parking for 1,000 cars. By 1966, the terminal served nearly 69 million passengers, once again requiring increased bus capacity.
In 1970, the Port Authority created a 2-mile exclusive bus lane (XBL) on the New Jersey route 495 approach to the Lincoln Tunnel, giving buses faster access directly to the bus terminal and saving commuters up to 20 minutes in travel time.
In 1981, the Port Authority expanded the bus terminal’s capacity by 50 percent with a new North Wing extension to 42nd Street and the diagonal girder façade now familiar to bus riders.
The current facility spans 1.9 million square feet as the nation’s largest bus terminal and the world’s busiest. Individual carriers, the largest of which is NJ Transit, serve routes for daily commuters throughout New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania, and the lower Hudson Valley, as well as provide intercity services to and from locations such as upstate New York, New England, the Mid-Atlantic and Canada. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the bus terminal accommodated an estimated 260,000 passenger trips on an average weekday.
