Commuters, especially those coming from northern New Jersey and Rockland County, have a reason to cheer Tuesday.
Two years behind schedule, and $17 million over budget, the newly renovated George Washington Bridge Bus Terminal opens up.
Despite the setbacks, the now open terminal will make a huge difference for commuters as more than 13,000 people are expected to use the hub any given weekday.
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez will arrive at 7 a.m. to greet commuters.
Although, a hub for commuters is its main purpose, it offers other features as well.
A new waiting room seats 125 people that comes equipped with air conditioning and heat, along with a new gym, restaurants, shopping, and even a dentist office. Gates will also comply with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
There is cashless ticketing now. Commuters can't buy tickets from a bus driver and all riders must have tickets or monthly passes with them when boarding buses.
Local
Meanwhile, commuters all morning long Tuesday have been giving good reviews.
"I love it," Israel Jimenez, of Howard Beach, Queens, said. "It's really convenient and I'm sure everybody else will be happy about this."
The tunnel between the bus terminal and the New York City Metropolitan Transportation Authority's A Line station at 175th Street will reopen at a later date.
