NJ Transit bus service in and out of Port Authority back after multi-bus crash in rush hour

New Jersey commuters were stuck unable to get into the Port Authority bus terminal during Wednesday’s morning rush, after a multi-bus collision closed a ramp to get into the station for hours — causing NJ Transit to suspend its service in and out of New York. But by around 10 a.m., service in and out of Port Authority was back up and running.

NJ Transit warned in an announcement delays of up to an hour would continue. Port Authority police said the incident involved three NJ Transit buses, correcting earlier alerts and reports that described two buses as being involved. No one sustained life-threatening injuries, authorities say.

The crash near West 41st Street had commuters scrambling for options. Announcement at the bus terminal in rush hour advised all New York commuters trying to get to the Garden State should take the commuter rail, PATH or the ferry. NJ Transit had directed NYC-bound commuters to cross-honoring on its own rail lines, the New York Waterway at Port Imperial and the PATH service at Hoboken, Newark Penn Station and 33rd Street New York, according to NJ Transit.

While service was out, buses were diverted to Secaucus Junction, Newark Penn Station and Hoboken Terminal.

The Port Authority said the bus terminal remained open while NJ Transit suspended service to the facility, correcting earlier alerts from NJ Transit that the terminal was “closed.”

The New York City Fire Department said it first got a call about the collision of coach buses near West 41st Street around 6:05 a.m. Ten people had minor injuries and were transported to area hospitals, and one person had a serious injury and was transported to Bellevue, the FDNY said. Another person refused treatment at the scene.

Passengers arriving at the bus terminal Wednesday morning appeared confused about the closures.

Zynasia Coop said she was waiting at Port Authority for nearly an hour for a bus to arrive.

“I really need to get going, but hopefully they come as soon as possible,” she said. “Just hoping for the best.”

And commuters across the Hudson River were also stuck from getting into New York. Saida Major opted to take the light rail from Port Imperial in Weehawken, where a long line for the ferry stretched along the sidewalk. She said she was frustrated with the closures and already told her work that she’d be late, but was relieved to have other options.

“I’m not the only one, everybody coming from Jersey [is late],” Major said. “Just want to get to work and get what I need to do.”

The incident came on a rough morning for commuters overall, with NJ Transit warning during rush hour of 20-minute delays in and out of Penn Station due to an earlier disabled train. The approach to the Lincoln Tunnel from New Jersey was also significantly delayed due to the crash.

This story has been updated to clarify the state of service at the Port Authority and details of the crash, based on updated statements from transit officials.