NYC's Bus Terminal to Get Replacement

The 65 year old New York City’s Bus Terminal is all set to be replaced and revamped though the alternate plan has not yet been made public. The decision has been given in-principle approval.

The Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey gave a go ahead for the proposal of replacing the Terminal in the Times Square neighborhood. The final layout plan for the new terminal will be made public during the international design competition in 2016.

However, the project will take at least 10 years to take off and will involve an expense ranging from $7.5 billion to $10.5 billion.

"This is a giant step forward for one of the most important transportation projects in the country, and certainly in our region," Commissioner Ken Lipper said.

Sources said the Board of Commissioners upheld the proposal of setting up the new terminal at 42nd Street and 8th Avenue in Manhattan.

The decision comes in wake of the rising footfall at the terminal. The problem of congestion dates back to 1930s, when the interstate traffic aggravated due to isolated locations of several terminals across the city. The current terminal was launched in 1950 to do away with the congestions.

However, overcrowding emerged as a problem here, as well, over the years, said experts. In past one year, over 66 million bus passengers were ferried to and from the bus terminal and it is considered as world’s one of the busiest bus terminals.