Is Port Authority still closed after this morning's collision? Everything to know

If you were one of the many bleary-eyed commuters trying to get into Manhattan this morning, you probably already know: Port Authority had a meltdown. Two NJ Transit buses collided around 6:15 a.m. on a ramp inside the terminal near West 41st Street, injuring a dozen people and causing rush hour chaos that rippled across the tri-state area.

The crash, which occurred on the terminal’s fourth level, temporarily shut down one of the busiest transit hubs in the country. FDNY responders had difficulty even reaching the crash site due to the traffic backup—it was that bad. One driver had to be extricated from a bus and taken to Bellevue Hospital with moderate injuries. Eleven others suffered minor injuries, according to fire officials.

By 10 a.m., service at the Port Authority Bus Terminal was back up and running, but don’t mistake “open” for “running smoothly.” Delays have continued well into the late morning, with NJ Transit warning of up to one-hour hold-ups. Some buses has been rerouted to Secaucus Junction, Hoboken Terminal and Newark Penn Station as crowds scrambled to alternate routes.

NJ Transit bus tickets were cross-honored on PATH trains and NJT rail lines, but that didn’t stop the complaints. Long lines formed at ferries and light rail stations and confusion reigned inside the terminal. Zynasia Coop, one of many stranded at the station, summed up the morning mood to Gothamist: “Just hoping for the best.”

As for what caused the crash, officials are still investigating, but sources say one of the bus drivers may have experienced a medical emergency. Either way, the mess added insult to injury on a morning already plagued by separate NJ Transit train delays.

So yes, Port Authority is open again. But if you’re planning to head through it today, beware.