NFTA.html



Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

Slogan	Serving Buffalo Niagara
Founded	1967
Headquarters	Buffalo, NY
Service area	Erie & Niagara Counties, New York
Service type	Public Transit
Fleet	Bus, Light Rail, Rapid transit
Fuel type	Diesel, Diesel-electric hybrid, Electricity
Operator	NFTA Metro Bus and Rail
Web site	Official Website

Overview

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is the quasi-public local provider of transportation management for Erie and Niagara counties in the State of New York. The NFTA oversees a number of subsidiaries, including the NFTA Metro bus and rail system, the Greater Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport, and NFTA Small Boat Harbor. The NFTA Metro bus and rail system operates various vehicles using the brand names: NFTA Metro Bus, NFTA Metro Rail, NFTA Metrolink, and NFTA PAL (Para-transit Access Line). In addition, the NFTA also owns and manages the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center in Downtown Buffalo; the Niagara Falls Transportation Center on Military Road (near the Factory Outlet Mall) and the Portage Road Transit Center in Niagara Falls, New York; and a number of strategically located bus loops and transit centers in the Buffalo-Niagara region. Many of these loops have been in continuous operation since the days of the International Railway Company.

Agency-wide, the NFTA employs 1,543 full time and part-time employees and carries 94,000 passengers per day with their NFTA Metro subsidiary, with 8.9 million miles traveled every year.

Before the creation of the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, the first bus operations in Buffalo dates back to 1923 under the private operator International Bus Company. The International Railway Company (also under the same parent company of the International Traction Company) operated the vast network of streetcar routes in Erie and Niagara counties. In 1947 The proposed Niagara Frontier Rapid Transit Commission received ownership of the International Railway Company, and gave way to the creation of the Niagara Frontier Transit System, Incorporated in 1950. The Niagara Frontier Transit System was replaced by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Corp or NFTA in 1967. During the late 1960s and early 1970s, New York State created public agencies that would oversee the development and continuation of public transportation in a number of key urban areas of the state. The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority purchased the street transportation rights from seven other private agencies, some of which include:

• Buffalo Transit Company,
• Dunkirk and Fredonia (D&F) Transportation Company,
• Grand Island Transit, Inc.
• Lockport Bus Lines,
• Ridge Road Express,
• Tonawanda/North Tonawanda Transit, and the
• Niagara Falls Municipal Transit System.

In the same period of time, the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority and Capital District Transportation Authority were given similar arrangements for the city and surrounding areas they served.

In the present day, the NFTA Metro Bus fleet consist of 332 buses and 4 trolley style buses on over 60 local, express and shuttle routes. The NFTA Metro Rail System operates daily with its fleet of 27 rail cars. The NFTA Metrolink network operates about 10 vans, and the NFTA PAL operates approximately 25 vans. All service provided by the NFTA Metro subsidiary is wheelchair accessible, either by using wheelchair lifts or low-floor access.

Although the agency encompasses a wide spectrum of transportation services, with the airports, boat harbor and real estate, this article will primarily focus one of their most visible subsidiaries, the NFTA Metro system.

Sources ¹: Images of America: Buffalo's Historic Streetcars and Buses, D. David Bregger

Service Area

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's Metro system serves most of Erie and Niagara counties in the State of New York, United States.

The cities served include: Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda.

The towns/villages include: Town of Alden, Village of Alden, Town of Angola, Town of Amherst, Town of Aurora, Blasdell, Cheektowaga, Town of Clarence, Village of Depew, Village of East Aurora, Town of Eden, Town of Elma, Town of Hamburg, Village of Hamburg, Town of Holland, Town of Lancaster, Village of Lancaster, Town of Lewiston, Town of Niagara, Town of Orchard Park, Town of Pendleton, Town of Sanborn, Town of Tonawanada, Town of West Seneca, Town of Wheatfield, and Village of Williamsville among others.

Even with this widely covered service area, the NFTA does not offer interagency transfers to other public transportation services in neighboring New York state counties, nor with the two Canadian systems immediately across the border from Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Transit Fleet

Current Transit Vehicle Fleet

(All vehicles are wheelchair-accessible and ADA compliant )

Other Vehicles

• Ford vans for Metro Paratransit - 25
• Ford vans for Metrolink - 10

The NFTA also has 10 CNG (compressed natural gas) vintage style green trolley style buses are used for the USA Niagara Link route and special services when warranted. These vehicles are listed with numbers in the 8000 range.

(All bus routes run out of Kenmore/Military on weekends. Metro Rail operates from South Park Terminal, seven-days-a-week)

Retired Fleet

Fleet Number(s)	Year	Manufacturer	Model	Notes
6200-6244	1957	Mack	C49-DT
6300-6359	1958	Mack	C49-DT	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses Built with Mack "New Look" front
7001-7030	1954	GMC	TDH-5106	Former Niagara Frontier Transit Buses
7100-7114	1957	GMC	TDH-5106	Former Niagara Frontier Transit buses
300-319	1958	GMC	TDH-5106	Former Buffalo Transit, Inc. Buses
7401-7459	1960, 1961	GMC	TDH-5301	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses
7501-7549	1963	GMC	TDH-5304	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses
7600-7684	1966	GMC	TDH-5304	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses
7685-7719	1967	GMC	TDH-5304	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses
7720-7794	1968	GMC	T6H-5306	Former Niagara Frontier Transit System buses 7754 retained as "heritage" bus
521-540/ 311-319	1968	GMC	T6H-4521	Former Niagara Falls Municipal Transit System buses
3001-3005	1970	Twin Coach		Purchased for use on 29 Wohlers and 31 Ogden-Tifft routes, using a shorter (35') bus. Buses were the first equipped with wheelchair lifts.
4001-4070	1975-1976	AM General	9640A "Metropolitan"	Remainder of buses retired prematurely due to serious structural issues, and were replaced temporarily in 1987 with surplus buses from Rochester (Flxible) and Dallas (GMC RTS-01) series buses.
4071-4099	1975-1976	AM General	9635A "Metropolitan"	Remainder of buses retired prematurely due to serious structural issues, and were replaced temporarily in 1987 with surplus buses from Rochester (Flxible) and Dallas (GMC RTS-01) series buses.
3051-3063	1976	GMC	S8H-5304A	Suburban (front door only) configuration used on suburban services. High back vinyl seats, raised floor and baggage racks overhead.
5001-5065	1978-1979	GMC	RTS-03 (T8H-603)
5066-5078	1980	GMC	RTS-03 (T8H-603)	First order of buses with installed wheelchair lifts (at rear of bus), following new Federal ADA compliance laws for all new bus purchases. Last buses with yellow-black-white livery
6001-6110	1983	GMC	RTS-04 (T8J-604)	First buses with "earth tone" livery colors.
601-607	1985	Orion/BIA	01.509	Last new non-wheelchair lift-equipped buses purchased.
701-773	1986	Orion/BIA	01.508	Some buses sold to RGRTA (Rochester), BC Transit (Binghamton), and one to Poughkeepsie Transit.
801-816	1988	Orion/BIA	01.508	First electronic "flip-dot" destination signs.
851-852	1988	Orion/BIA	01.502 (30')	Used on 29-Wohlers route. Last buses purchased with "curtain" style destination roll signs.
861-867	1990	Orion/BIA	01.507 (35')	861-862 assigned to Main/Michigan for 29-Wohlers route. 863-867 assigned to Frontier for use in Niagara Falls.
901-912	1989	Orion/BIA	01.508	First buses with "air ride" driver's seats.
921-925	1990	Orion/BIA	01.508	Last of the Orion I buses. Bus 925 fitted with "hopper" type windows rather than sliding windows. Also first buses, along with 861-867 with fabric covered inserts in the passenger seats.
301-305	~1987 (built 1970)	Flxible	111CD-D5	Purchased second-hand from RGRTA (Rochester)to fill gaps in buses, due to the emergency retirement of the fleet of AM General buses
322-365	~1987 (built 1978)	GMC	RTS-01 (TH-8201)	Purchased second-hand from DART (Dallas, TX) to fill gaps in buses, due to the emergency retirement of the fleet of AM General buses
201-222	1991	Orion/BIA	05.501	First wider (102") buses ordered directly by NFTA Metro. Also first buses with front door equipped wheelchair lifts.
401-417	1992	MCI	TC40-102A "Classic"
501-505	1993	Orion/BIA	05.501 CNG	First buses using compressed natural gas (CNG)

General Comments

• When NFTA Metro purchased their final Orion I buses in 1990, Niagara Scenic Coach Lines purchased an Orion 01.509 Suburban bus from the NFTA for their Jamestown, New York route.

• The New Flyer Industry buses purchased in 1993 (fleet numbers 9301-9360) were equipped with Detroit Diesel 6V92 engines and Allison ATEC transmissions. Fleet numbers 9361-9375 were equipped with Detroit Diesel Series 50 engines and ZF transmissions

• Common with many of the older buses from the 1950s & 1960's , the front destination sign configuration had an external backlit numerical sign installed that required the operator to use an extension pole to change the sign. After the purchase of the 7600-series GMC TDH-5304 New Looks, all curtain destination signs were controlled from the interior of the coach using a knob with a stem. The AM General Metropolitan buses were the first with motorized destination signs, using three separate switches, controlling the route number, the route variation letter, and the destination. Beginning with the Orion Bus Industries buses purchased in 1988 (fleet numbers 801-816, buses began operating with electric destination signs; first using flip dot technology, and then using LED displays.

• When GMC first introduced the RTS-01 in 1975, there was the pronounced "slope" at the rear of the bus because the air conditioning (AC) components were originally mounted in the engine compartment. With the introduction of the GMC RTS-04 model, the AC components were relocated to the upper rear of the bus, necessitating the "squared-off" rear end. Aftermarket AC retrofits to the GMC RTS-01 and GMC RTS-03 buses enabled the use of caps that squared off the rear end.

• The 6000-series GMC RTS-04 buses were delivered with the "Earth Tone" livery and black trim encompassing the upper rear of the bus, which was a standard GMC trim package at that time. Many of the 4000-series AM General Metropolitan buses were repainted to reflect the same look. After the first delivery of the Orion I buses in 1985-1986, the remaining AM General and many of the GMC "New Look" buses were repainted in white rather than black trim. In 1988, NFTA Metro began an aggressive repainting program for the entire fleet of GMC and Orion buses due to the fading of the original finishes on the vehicles. As a result, the GMC RTS-04 buses did not have the black trim any longer and the 5000-series GMC RTS-03 buses were repainted to match the rest of the fleet.

• In 1988, when the general fare was raised from $.80 to $1.00, all buses were refitted with GFI Cents-a-Bill electronic fareboxes that accepted bills as well as coins. At the beginning, these fareboxes were not equipped with card readers, but were re-fitted later to accept Metro's new fare and pass media.

Bus Routes

Many of the routes in the City of Buffalo operate along nearly the same alignment of the previous International Railway Company's streetcar lines. After the elimination of streetcar service, many adjustments have been made in routing through Downtown Buffalo to allow better connections between routes between the east side of Buffalo and the west side of Buffalo, with many of the routes operating through at least one of two of the major transfer points; the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center at the corner of North Division and Ellicott Streets and on Court Street between Niagara Square and Main Streets. The Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is also the trandfer point for inter-city bus service using Greyhound, Coach USA, or Greyhound Lines of Canada.

Although not exact, it is of note that the routes follow a certain numbering schematic.

• 1-49 Erie County routes
• 50-59 Niagara County routes
• 60-89 express routes
• 90-99 special services (Buffalo Bills, Darien Lake, etc...)
• 100-121 Buffalo Public School trips
• 200-216 Metro Link routes

When boarding a bus, the passenger is encouraged to note the following:

• The front of the bus carries (in order) the route number, the routing letter (for routes with multiple branches) and the destination (usually a community or the major street where the trip terminates).

• The side of the bus will carry the route number and the route name, to assure the passenger they are boarding the correct route.

• The rear of the bus (2000-series and newer) will carry the route number and branch letter.

Since all buses now operate with electronic destination signs, a supplemental message may contain information if the trip diverts from the normal route, such as service into shopping plazas or particular communities.

It has been normal practice has each route given a separate timetable, which includes a map of the route on the front, fare and pass information on the back panel, and information on the times and days service is offered. Not all stops are listed in the timetables, but passengers can expect to see at least major transfer points and busy intersections.

Timetables are generally updated four times a year; mid-March, mid-June, early September and late December. During the month of June is when many Buffalo City schedules see a slight decrease in service, since many public schools and colleges are on summer break. During the first Sunday of September (the week of Labor Day), service reverts to its previous service levels.

Additionally, from March 1993, schedules began being color coded to the season they are effective so that one can easily identify if the schedule is current or not. Normally, red schedules note fall service, purple note winter service, green note spring service, and blue notes summer service. Surprisingly, all schedules (whether noting changes or not) are issued new timetables each season.

Current Routes

for descriptions, see NFTA Metro Bus Routes

Past/Previous Routes

Planned/Future Routes

The NFTA's original "Hublink" concept, now renamed "Metrolink", created a network of routes (numbered in the 200 and 300 series range) linking multiple transportation centers together, using smaller van sized buses. A minimum service standard was created, where buses were to be operating on a frequent schedules through the day, effectively speeding passengers across the region. Additionally, circulator routes were to be created linking passengers with community-based service for a number of high-density areas that don't necessarily support normal city bus transit service.

Some current routes were off-shoots of the original proposals.

• Route 200-North Tonawanda-Wheatfield links together the Main & Niagara Transit Center in Tonawanda with the Creekside Park-and-Ride lot and The Summit Transit Center.

• Route 204-BNIA Airport Express links the Downtown Buffalo Central Business District with the Greater Buffalo-Niagara International Airport and Holtz Road/Airport Park-and-Ride lot. Originally started as a shuttle route during rush hours to Downtown Buffalo, ridership has increased to the point where mid-day service was added, and it became an attractive alternative to taking a cab or using a local city bus (either by taking a route 24-Genesee or route 30-Kenmore bus).

• Routes 206, 207 and 208 operate as community circulators for students of Buffalo State College, offering near door-to-door service to a number of local destinations and businesses that Buffalo State College students visit. Route 206-Buffalo State Shuttle serves the Buffalo State College Campus, and extends to the Tops Market at Grant & Amherst St, and the Wegman's Market on Amherst Street, near Bush St. Route 207-Elmwood Circulator serves much of the same area, except that buses also extend over Elmwood, Forest, and Richmond to North Street, and returning Elmwood Ave. Route 208-Grant Circulator serves the campus too, but continues over Elmwood, Forest and Grant Street to Ferry Street and the Grant/Ferry Marketplace. Buffalo State College students benefit from this service and other NFTA Metro service when they use their "Unlimited Access" identification card during the school year. The service is free when the card is shown, due to an agreement between Buffalo State College and the NFTA.

• Route 209-Medaille Circulator operates as a shuttle route for Medaille College students that use a satellite parking facility on the grounds of the Buffalo Zoological Gardens, too far to walk for a number of students that use it. Frequent service is offered throughout daylight hours on weekdays.

• Route 210-BNIA-Niagara Falls became the first NFTA service that offered direct service between the Greater Buffalo-Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls Transportation Center and Downtown Niagara Falls without requiring a bus going through Downtown Buffalo. Effective from Memorial Day weekend in 2008, the NFTA hopes that ridership will increase with the tourist season in the Niagara Falls area. Service is clocked at fifty minutes between the end terminals, approximately half the time that it would take if going through Downtown Buffalo.

• Route 216-Gowanda-McKinley Mall was a major step by the NFTA, reintroducing public transportation to the US-62 corridor south of Hamburg. Service had previously been offered by Carrier Coach bus lines, and was discontinued. The NFTA added the service back after a number of years and found promising numbers and numerous adjustments nearly each schedule change to increase service to match demand. Route No. 216 was previously operated by Blue Bird Coach Lines as part of its Buffalo-Salamanca-Bradford route.

Other

1. - "#" Denotes unused signage since closure of depot.

Fares/Payments

The NFTA Metro Bus and Rail system offers many ways to pay for your bus or rail fare.

Cash

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority operates on an "exact fare" system, in which drivers and operators do not make change.

Fares vary, depending on the distance travelled, and if a zone change has been made. In the NFTA Metro System, there are four fare zone boundaries.

With Buffalo located near the center of the service area, most of the zone fare boundaries follow the circumference surrounding the city. Zone two would include the first tier suburban areas (Tonawanda, Amherst, Cheektowaga, West Seneca, and Lackawanna), zone three would continue from the first tier suburbs effectively surrounding the next tier of towns, and then zone four would include the rest of the furthest towns.

Fares are paid before, or upon boarding, using cash (dollar bills and coins), tokens, day passes, or monthly fare media. Certain vending machines at rail stations allow payments, using a debit or credit card. While heading outbound (from Buffalo), passengers pay their first zone fare upon boarding, and the remainder upon leaving the bus. All other times, the entire fare is due upon boarding.

Transfers may also be issued for $.30, allowing passengers to transfer to another vehicle to complete a one-way trip. At no time are passengers allowed to return to their place of origin using the same transfer.

The current fees charged are:

The NFTA is considering a fare hike ¹ to be effective from January 1, 2009. Under the proposal, bus fares would increase from the current $1.50 per boarding to $1.75. This is an ironic contrast to Rochester's Regional Transit Service, which has lowered their bus fare ² from $1.25 per ride to $1.00, in an effort to increase ridership.

College Cooperative Agreements

In the recent years, the NFTA has aggressively pursued agreements with many local colleges and universities, using their "NFTA Unlimited Access" program.

Offering relief from excessive parking nightmares at many of the universities and colleges, students are offered semester passes that allow the user unrestricted travel on any NFTA regularly scheduled service, with the exception of Buffalo Bills Shuttles and Darien Lake Express service.

Erie Community College was the at the forefront of this service, and originally provided students a tri-campus shuttle linking the three campuses through the ECC Downtown Campus. Route 80 operated for approximately two calendar years, but service was eliminated, and students were given the opportunity to use alternate service on local bus routes.

Other colleges and universities included in the program are:

• Buffalo State College
• Medaille College
• Canisius College

Buffalo State College and Medaille College benefit from enhanced service to their campuses with Routes 206, 207, and 208 (for Buffalo State College students), and 209 (for Medaille Students).

Buffalo State College, Medaille College and Canisius College also benefit from a special shuttle operating Friday and Saturday nights into Downtown Buffalo's Entertainment and Theater Districts, using Elmwood, the Scajauquada Expressway and Main Street. This route is designated as a "route 20E" service, and operates during school semesters only.

Other Fare Media (passes)

Monthly passes are available for single zones (for $55.00), or for all-zone (for $66.00).

Day passes are sold for $3.50 for all-zone access, while there is a weekend pass (covering Saturdays and Sunday riding) for $6.00.

Metal tokens covering the first zone charge of each trip are available at a discounted rate for $1.35 each when you purchase 10 through participating local banks or at the transportation center in Downtown Buffalo.

Source-NFTA Website

Properties (Stations/Garages/Barns)

Bus and Rail Depots

All buses are stored at three depots:

• Cold Spring Terminal (Main & Michigan, Buffalo)
• Frontier Terminal (Kenmore & Military, Buffalo)
• Gisel/Wolford Terminal (Babcock nr. William, Buffalo)

Metro Rail trains are stored at one depot:

• South Park Terminal (South Park nr Main, Downtown Buffalo)

Past Depots:

• Broadway Barns (Broadway & Greene, Buffalo)
• Buffalo & 13th (Buffalo & 13th, Niagara Falls)
• Forest (Forest at Abbotsford, Buffalo)
• Hertel & Military (Military & Hertel, Buffalo)
• Main & Virginia (Main & Virginia Streets, Buffalo)
• Walden & Lathrop (Walden & Lathrop Streets, Buffalo)

Transportation (Intermodal) Centers

Most buses operating to the city centers operate to or near:

• Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center Ellicott & North Division, in Downtown Buffalo - built in 1977
• Portage Road Transit Center on Portage near Cedar, near Downtown Niagara Falls
• Niagara Falls Transportation Center 2250 Factory Outlet Blvd near Military, Niagara Falls - opened December 24, 2007

Suburban Transit Centers

In addition, a number of transit centers were created in suburban locations to allow passengers to transfer between other routes in a coordinated location. Suburban transit centers operate with more amenities than typical loops used on many city routes. Suburban transit centers tend to be located on properties like shopping centers, and include separate shelters for each stop, pay telephones, schedule information, and possible restroom areas for drivers and agency employees.

• Appletree Business Park off Bennett Road on south end of property
• Athol Springs on Big Tree Road @ NYS 5
• Southgate Plaza near Citibank
• Summit Mall off Plaza Road near northeast corner of mall property
• Thruway Plaza off Harlem Road on west end of plaza property
• Tonawanda at the southwest corner of Niagara & Main in the City of Tonawanda
• Victory at corner of South Park at Ridge Road, Lackawanna

Bus Loops and Terminals

Many loops that the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority uses as a terminal for their bus routes are properties that were originally created for the International Railway's streetcars to turn around in. The International Railway Company (IRC) was the primary predecessor to the Niagara Frontier Transit System (c. 1950), and ultimately, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (c. ~1972).

Metro Rail Stations

Stations with Bus Loops

• Utica, NE corner of Main & E Utica
• Delavan/Canisius College (previously Delavan/College), NE corner of Main & E. Delavan
• LaSalle, NW corner of Main & LaSalle Street
• University (previously South Campus), South of Main & Capen Blvd.

Stations without Bus Loops

• Erie Canal Harbor, Main Street, between Scott & Exchange, Downtown Buffalo
• Seneca, Main Street, between Seneca & Swan, Downtown Buffalo
• Church, Main Street, between Church & Eagle, Downtown Buffalo
• Lafayette Square, Main Street, between Lafayette Square & Mohawk, Downtown Buffalo
• Fountain Plaza (previously Huron), Main Street, between Huron & Chippawa, Downtown Buffalo
• Theater, Main Street, between Chippawa & Tupper, Downtown Buffalo
• Allen-Medical Campus, Main Street, east of Allen Street
• Summer-Best, Main Street, at Northeast corner of Best Street
• Humboldt/Hospital, Main Street, at foot of Kensington Av.
• Amherst, North of Main Street, surrounded by Main on southeast, Parker on west, and Amherst north.

These stations use surrounding streets as boarding areas for buses.

Active Bus Loops

• Andrews Loop northwest corner of Genesee St and Andrews, Cheektowaga
• Fernwood Loop at foot of Rossler at Clinton St, Buffalo
• Goethe Loop southeast corner of Lovejoy Av and Goethe St, Buffalo
• Michael Loop southeast corner of Broadway and Michael St, Sloan
• Nason Loop Nason Pkwy at South Park Av, Lackawanna
• Vulcan (Baxter) Loop northeast corner of Vulcan and Baxter St, Buffalo
• Jersey Left on exit from Main St at Bailey Av, Buffalo
• Paramount Loop on Colvin at Paramount, Tonawanda
• Huntley Loop on Kensington nr Huntley, Buffalo/Cheektowaga
• City Line (Wildwood) Loop on Seneca at Buffalo City Line
• Southside Loop northeast corner of Bailey Av. and Abbott Rd., Buffalo
• Orchard Loop on southeast corner of Delaware at Orchard, Tonawanda
• Walden/Bailey (St. Mary's) Loop on Walden, west of Bailey Av.
• Ellicott Loop bounded by North Division, South Division, Ellicott and Oak, Buffalo

Inactive Bus Loops

• Blanche Loop southwest corner of Elmwood at Kenmore, Buffalo/Kenmore border
• Coburg Loop southeast corner of Kenmore at Coburg St., Buffalo: currently being used as parking for the Family Dollar store, which was previously a Rite Aid Pharmacy. This loop was created as a terminal for the now deceased route 9-Parkside/Zoo bus and the short-turn (City Line) terminus for the 11A Colvin route, when service was eliminated from Virgil Loop, further west on Kenmore Avenue, near Delaware.
• Delmar Loop on Oliver at Ward, North Tonawanda
• Ensminger Loop on Esminger, near Sheridan Parkside Dr., Town of Tonawanda
• Greenwood Loop on Abbott Road, near Greenwood, Lackawanna/Blasdell
• Highgate Loop on Bailey Av, near Highgate St., Buffalo: service was extended on route 13-Kensington to University Station, and route 32-Amherst service to Kensington and Huntley Streets. Currently used as parking for beauty supply company next door.
• Irwin Loop at corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Irwin
• Jefferson Loop at corner of Main St. and Jefferson, Buffalo: service was moved to Delavan-Canisius College Station with the opening of the Metro Rail line. The loop was removed, and part of the previous Blue Cross/Blue Shield building sits on its site.
• Pacific Loop on Hertel, east of Pacific St, Buffalo: service was moved to Vista Marina Apartments, then Watergate Apartments.
• Pine Hill Loop on Genesee near Pine Ridge Road, Cheektowaga
• Preston Loop on East Delavan, near Preston St, Buffalo
• Robbins Loop on Porter at Robbins Road, Niagara Falls
• Seabrook Loop on Kenmore Av at Vulcan, Buffalo (used by Buffalo Public Schools)
• Virgil Loop on Kenmore at Virgil St, Buffalo
• Windermere Loop on Main Street at Kenmore Ave., Buffalo/Amherst border: Windermere loop existed in a few different configurations over the course of time, in which it originally sat in the area of the current University Plaza during the streetcar era; on Kenmore Ave (before Main) next door to the FIRST location of May Jen restaurant, and again at the corner of Main & Kenmore next to the Walgreens Pharmacy. With the reconfiguration of the corner of Main and Kenmore, the new intersection cuts through the approximate area, forever removing any trace that the loop had even existed. The Jersey "Left" loop has taken over as the terminal point for routes that serviced Windermere Loop.

Metro Rail (light rail rapid transit)

See also: Buffalo Metro Rail and List of Buffalo Metro Rail Stations

Light Rail and Rapid Transit

Buffalo's first street railway began operations in 1832 with horse car routes on Pearl Street and Terrace operating to the Canada Ferry terminal. In 1860, the Buffalo Street Railway Company was established. Electric streetcars began operating in Buffalo in 1889 and the last horse car retired in 1894. In Niagara Falls village, the first electric cars began in 1883, In 1902, the International Railway Company was created from the merger of the Buffalo's first street railway operator and Buffalo Street Railway Company. The trolley service ended in 1950 and would not resume until construction of the present LRT began in 1979, opening on May 1, 1986.

The current 6.4 mile (10.3 km) line makes stops at: Erie Canal Harbor, Seneca, Church, Lafayette Square, Fountain Plaza, Theater, Allen-Medical Campus, Summer-Best, Utica, Delavan-Canisius College, Humboldt-Hospital, Amherst Street, LaSalle, and University. An additional station, called "Special Events" Station, sits just south of the current Erie Canal Harbor Station allowing passengers a shorter walk to the HSBC Arena. This station is only served during major HSBC events, such as Hockey, concerts and sports related functions, to name a few.

Future Plans for the Metro Rail

See Citizens Regional Transit Corporation for more details.

The Citizens Regional Transit Corporation (CRTC) has continuously lobbied local and state politians to provide funding or support for extensions to the current one-line system.

A proposed Airport Corridor line follows the Division Street area, cutting through to the old New York Central Terminal around Jefferson Avenue, following old track bed through the CSX line between Walden and Broadway to Thruway Plaza, Galleria Mall and Buffalo Niagara Airport.

A proposed Tonawanda Corridor line follows the old Erie RR right-of-way (ROW) from LaSalle Station through to the Town and City of Tonawanda, and the City of North Tonawanda. This line has a number of branches; one operating through North Buffalo to Elmwood, up to Niagara Falls following the old NYC "Beeliner" service and to the North Campus of the University at Buffalo, using abandoned railroad right-of-ways.

These and many other proposals have hit various roadblocks, but the CRTC has not wavered in their support for these extensions. Lately, to the happiness of the groups members, a number of important political figures have shown their support.

LRV Fleet Details

• Manufacturer: Tokyu Car Corporation, Japan
• Fleet size:: 26 (one car {125} damaged in transit upon delivery in 1983)
• Fleet No.:: 101-127
• Length: 66 feet 10 inches (20370 mm)
• Width: 8 feet 6.5 inches (2603 mm)
• Weight: 35.5 tons
• Normal capacity: 140 (including 51 seated)
• Control: 4 chopper controlled Westinghouse motors (at 650V DC)
• Track gauge: 1,435 mm (4 ft 8½ in) (standard gauge)

Corporate Identity

Coloring and Print Media

The current color scheme (navy, grey and burgundy) first showed up on the 2000 series (Nova Bus LFS) coaches in early 2001. The color scheme met with approval on most sides. According to a past Buffalo News article, the colors and logo were chosen to link the area's "water" image with the company. The force of the Niagara River, and Niagara Falls contribute to the idea of the "wave" design that was chosen.

With the arrival of the 6000 series GMC RTS-04 buses in 1984, the NFTA's Metro system operated its vehicles using a color scheme of brown, yellow and orange ("Earth Tone"). This color scheme is easiest to recognize on all the 400 series and 9600 series coaches. As of 2007, this color scheme can now be found on only a handful of buses, as most of the buses featuring it have been either been re-painted in the new color scheme (see below) or retired. However, most of the Metro Rail trains still retain the old "Earth Tone" color scheme (for now).

Further back, the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System had worked with a yellow and black scheme (early 1970s), and a red and cream color scheme (1950-1960s). The International Railway Company, the predecessor to the Niagara Frontier Transportation Service used either an orange and black, or forest green and vermilion scheme for their vehicles.

Logo-wise, the NFTA used a circular logo during the 1970s for the parent corporation, showing a nested combination of a bus, airplane, and ship. For the NFT Metro system, a simple typeface, similar to blippo spelled out "metro bus". Towards the end of the 1990s a modified "M" in the same typeface, except with a "swoosh" style to the left of the letter. In the year 2000, the NFTA replaced their logo type with one similar to "Impact" in the italicized version. This style is present on all NFTA correspondence, including the NFTA Metro Bus and Rail system, the Greater Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport, the NFTA Small Boat Harbor among others.

Slogans/Advertising

"Serving Buffalo/Niagara"

"Serving the Niagara Region"

"Let Metro Take You Where You Want to Go!"

"We're Going Your Way!"

Noteworthy Dates and Events

• April 1, 1974 The NFTA takeover of the Niagara Frontier Transit System, Inc. occurred on this date.¹
• October 9, 1984 Metro Rail begins service in the Downtown Central Business District, between Auditorium and Theater Stations.¹
• May 18, 1985 Metro Rail officially opens for regular service between Downtown and Amherst Street Stations. Due to construction issues at LaSalle Station, LaSalle and South Campus stations opened later, on November 10, 1986.¹
• April 1, 1990 The NFTA had a brief but embarrassing shutdown due to budgeting and funding issues with state and local governments. Prior to this closure, the NFTA distributed "red" schedules for the first time, clearly giving passengers a preview of pending service cuts to the Metro System. The most severe plan had the closure of the Metro Rail line entirely, as well as all service eliminated after 7:00pm weekdays, and no service offered on Saturdays, Sundays or major holidays. Due to this alarming preview and subsequent closure, emergency funding was established by elected officials, and service resumed that Monday (April 2, 1990) without cuts to service.
• March 24, 1993 The "New" Metro System was introduced, creating a streamlined version of the previous Metro system, increasing bus frequencies, adding a number of new routes, and new destinations not previously served by bus. With this new service, a number of branches with low ridership were eliminated, and the service was redirected to supplement the new service.
• December 14, 1995 17 year old Cynthia Wiggins was hit by a ten-ton dump truck after exiting a route 6-Sycamore bus, crossing a seven lane roadway (Walden Avenue) across from the Walden Galleria Mall. She died of her injuries on January 2nd, 1996. Her death sparked a number of lawsuits against the NFTA, the Pyramid Corporation (the owner of the mall) and many others, charging racial discrimination due to the inability of the NFTA to have their buses enter the mall. This lawsuit was eventually settled, in which the Pyramid Corporation paid $2 million and the dump truck driver ($250,000) to Cynthia Wiggins four year old son. Effective with the December, 1997 schedule changes, NFTA buses were finally allowed to enter the Walden Galleria Mall, Boulevard Mall and the Eastern Hills Mall, previously not allowed by mall management.
• December 23, 2007 NFTA Metro introduced the newly built Niagara Falls Transportation Center in the Town of Niagara, on the grounds of the Niagara Falls Outlet Mall. This resulted in a number of routing and schedule changes to all Niagara Falls routes, so that buses can take advantage of serving the new transportation center.
• May 25, 2008 NFTA Metro implemented a new bus route (#210-Airport-Niagara Falls Express) between the Greater Buffalo Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Transit Center and Downtown Niagara Falls. Created to coincide with the start of the peak tourist season in Niagara Falls, this trip takes 50 minutes from end to end, and allows passengers to cut their travel time in at least half due to the fact that a transfer is no longer required in Downtown Buffalo from the 24-Genesee or 204-Airport Express or at Niagara and Vulcan from the 30-Kenmore bus to the infrequent 40-Grand Island bus.
• September 5, 2008 Remeniscint of the Cynthia Wiggins lawsuit of 1995, the NFTA is banned by the owners of the Quaker Crossing shopping complex in Orchard Park. Questions were raised if the ban was racially motivated, in which the plaza owners deny, citing safety concerns for pedestrians walking in the plaza. In the interim, the NFTA began operating buses over Amanda and Amelia Lanes, roadways that bisect the plaza.

Source: ¹ Images of America, Buffalo's Historic Streetcars and Buses, D. David Bregger, 2008

References

See also

• Buffalo Metro Rail
• Buffalo, New York
• New York State

External links

• NFTA
• Transit in Buffalo
• NFTA bus photos
• NFTA Page from Tom's Bus Page
• New York Times Article on April 1, 1990 shutdown