Port Authority Bus Terminal

Port Authority Bus Terminal

The south wing of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the nation’s largest and busiest bus depot, was evacuated on Tuesday morning after a suspicious package was found near the subway platforms that serve the A, C and E subway lines, the authorities said. The building was reopened at 10:20 a.m., when the the package was determined to be “a couple of stereo speakers bundled together,” said John Kelly, a spokesman for the Port Authority. Thespeakers appeared to have been forgotten by a traveler.

The closing of part of the building caused a disruption for commuters in Midtown Manhattan’s morning rush. Arriving buses were allowed into the terminal’s south wing, though passengers getting off those buses were diverted toward the north wing of the terminal to exit on the street. Outgoing travelers were inconvenienced the most, as many were turned away. People waited near the terminal despite repeated pleas from the authorities that they exit for their safety. Manycould be seen grumbling about the delays.

“Please step back,” an official said through a hand-held loudspeaker. “Due to your own safety and police activity, please be patientand exit the building.” Still, the crowd lingered, looking more concerned about the delays than a possible risk of a bomb or some terrorist activity. “It’s affecting us a great deal,” said Jennifer Eodumegwuhu, who was traveling to work in New Jersey from her home in Brooklyn. “They aren’t telling us anything. You don’t know whatto do, where to go.”