Port Authority bus station has secret, clean bathroom that privileged few have secret code to enter: sources

Deirdre Bardolf
·2 min read
At left, pinpad on bathroom door; center inset of people walking past special access bathroom; at right, clean, single-person bathroom
At left, pinpad on bathroom door; center inset of people walking past special access bathroom; at right, clean, single-person bathroom

A hidden-in-plain-sight Port Authority Bus Terminal bathroom provides insiders who have its secret code relief from the often-repulsive and highly trafficked public restrooms, The Post has learned.

A locked door nestled between the men’s and women’s bathrooms on the second floor of the Midtown terminal is labeled “All Gender Restroom” and includes a number to call for entry.

But a privileged few have unfettered access, allowing them to bypass the main facilities where the mentally ill loiter in stalls, migrants bathe in sinks, vile odors hover, and debris clogs toilets and urinals.

Calling the number can grant access to the private bathroom — but some employees have the code and share it with pals, according to sources. Helayne Seidman
Calling the number can grant access to the private bathroom — but some employees have the code and share it with pals, according to sources. Helayne Seidman
A locked door between the men’s and women’s bathrooms on the second floor of the Midtown terminal is labeled “All Gender Restroom” and includes a number to call for access. Helayne Seidman
A locked door between the men’s and women’s bathrooms on the second floor of the Midtown terminal is labeled “All Gender Restroom” and includes a number to call for access. Helayne Seidman

“If Dante had nine circles of hell — this is the sub-basement,” said one New Jersey commuter of the 12-toilet, 12-urinal main bathroom he uses every morning.

“It is outrageous that the riding public is subjected to these disgusting conditions while a select few with a secret code get to enjoy a glistening, solitary throne.”

The secret bathroom code is shared among Port Authority workers and retail employees who work in the terminal, an insider said. In fact, most workers refer to it as an employee bathroom.

The Post witnessed liquor-store and eyebrow-threading kiosk workers use the VIP john. Some punched in the secret code while others had a special key.

Behind the unassuming door is a sparkling clean, private bathroom, replete with a changing table and needle disposal box, a far cry from the often repulsive bathrooms nearby. Deirdre Bardorlf
Behind the unassuming door is a sparkling clean, private bathroom, replete with a changing table and needle disposal box, a far cry from the often repulsive bathrooms nearby. Deirdre Bardorlf

When a member of the public calls the number on the door, a Port Authority worker comes to unlock the door — the code is not given out. When The Post tried, a worker showed up to open the door within minutes.

The loo is spotless, with a changing table and needle-disposal bin.

The terminal in Hell’s Kitchen sees more than 200,000 passengers a day.

During the day, the bustling bathrooms — which have seen upgrades in recent years — are regularly staffed by janitors but they can barely keep up with the repulsive remnants of the crush of commuters, homeless people and migrants.

The all-gender restroom was mandated in a 2022 settlement over undercover police stings that allegedly targeting gay men suspected of propositioning sex.

The Port Authority did not answer questions from The Post.