Lawmakers push for improvements at NYC bus terminal

New Jersey's Senate president and Senate majority leader have been hearing complaints from commuters about poor conditions at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in New York City. The pair attended NJ Transit's monthly board meeting Wednesday to demand that members take action. Evidently the old adage can be true; ask and you shall receive.

"What we've heard is how horrible the conditions are," said Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford). "There's no air conditioning. The heating doesn't work. The roof leaks."

Sweeney and Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg (D-Teaneck) also asked NJ Transit's board to address the lengthy delays experienced almost daily by New Jersey's 100,000-plus commuters. They've already received their answer about the terminal's conditions and the delays.

"Three hours after we spoke at the meeting I was told the Port Authority is going to put $90 million into upgrading the terminal. That's something I'm very excited about," Sweeney said.

The Senate president also said that NJ Transit's new executive director, Ronnie Hakim, has committed to working with the Port Authority Police and the New York City Police to structure the routing of buses better to reduce delays.