NEW YORK, NY - The following statement can be attributed to Tom Wright, President and CEO of Regional Plan Association:

Fixing the Port Authority Bus Terminal for the 260,000 people who rely on it every weekday is one of the highest infrastructure priorities for our region. The prosperity of our tri-state area will depend on our ability to provide access across the region and connect people to jobs. It’s all interconnected. Almost a quarter of the income of non-New York City residents is earned within the five boroughs. Also, more than a quarter of the college-educated workforce of New York City lives outside the five boroughs.

The Port Authority’s new strategy of building a separate facility offers a creative approach to a complicated problem. It will serve as a secondary space during reconstruction of the existing terminal and as an intercity facility and storage area. The project also provides long-term capacity for growth, reduces the impact of buses on city streets, expands green space, connects passengers with the subway system, and helps meet regional climate goals. We look forward to continuing to work with the Port Authority to refine this proposal and ensure it meets the needs of our residents and passengers.