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Manhattan, NY - The south wing of the Port Authority Bus Terminal, the nation’s largest and busiest bus depot, was evacuated today 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 when the the package was determined to be “a couple of stereo speakers bundled together,” said John Kelly, a spokesman for the Port Authority. The speakers 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. Many could 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 patient and 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 what to do, where to go.”

Katie Loduca, 23, who was part of a group traveling to New Jersey to meet with prospective clients on behalf of a marketing company, said, “I work off commission, so if I can’t make money today, I can’t get paid today.”

After calling her boss, she asked a police officer how long bus service would be suspended.

“Indefinitely,” the officer responded.

Michael Toma, a futures trader heading to work in New Jersey, said he wasn’t happy about the disruption, which would cause him to miss some scheduled meetings. “But putting everything in perspective, safety comes first,” he said. “Meetings, e-mailing aren’t so important.”

An information booth in the north wing was closed, though — in some mix-up — there was a sign telling commuters to go to a similar booth in the south wing.

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