Port Authority Bus Terminal gate assignments changing to reduce crowding

NEW YORK (WABC) -- Gate assignments for many buses at Port Authority Bus Terminal went into effect Tuesday to combat congestion and improve traffic flow during the afternoon and evening commute.

The changes will impact about 30 percent of weekly passengers at the terminal, the Port Authority announced.

The moves will consolidate NJ Transit routes to the third floor of the terminal and Coach USA routes to the fourth floor. That way there won't be two different lines on the same floor, competing for the same space.

So if there are delays or issues, it should be easier for each line to recover and regroup if they control the whole floor.

Five additional gates will also be assigned to NJ Transit, the terminal's largest operator. In a press release, Port Authority officials said the changes will "improve the flow of buses" throughout the terminal and "reduce crowding for commuters waiting for their buses."

Approximately 220,000 passengers use the bus terminal each day. About a third of all passengers will get moved around, to make the commute out of New York run more smoothly.

The Port Authority and its bus carriers will alert commuters to these changes by distributing "Find Your New Gate Location" brochures in English and Spanish, displaying signs and posting information on social media and their official websites.

According to the release, the gate reassignment is part of a $90 million Quality of Commute program and follows initiatives to reduce lines and crowding late last year.

The Port Authority also designated 'ambassadors', who gave out directions to help the 30,000 commuters navigate the new gate changes.

Commuters can learn whether their bus routes will be affected by the changes at panynj.gov/PABTgates.