Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
Encyclopedia
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is a public authority responsible for the public transportation oversight of 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
(which serves as the agency's headquarters); the Niagara Falls Transportation Center on Military Road (near the Factory Outlet Mall),the Portage Road Transit Center in Niagara Falls
; 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
, an earlier predecessor to the NFTA.
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.
There are three divisions that operate as the NFTA organization, the NFTA Metro division, the NFTA Airports division and the NFTA Properties division.
The Niagara Frontier Transit System was replaced by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Corp (NFTA) in 1967, as part of New York State's efforts in the late 1960s and early 1970s at creating public agencies that would oversee the development and continuation of public transportation in a number of key urban areas of the state; other such agencies include the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
(Centro), and the Capital District Transportation Authority
(CDTA). NFTA purchased the street transportation rights from seven other private agencies, which include the 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.
reports to. The NFTA board has members that are recommended by the Governor of the State of New York
, and one by the New York State Senate
. Most appointments are for five year terms, but some commissioners were installed part-way into a term, replacing the previous commissioners.
The present executive director is Kimberly Minkel, previously the Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental Quality. Kimberly Minkel will also carry the recognition as the first female executive director of the NFTA.
(R) re-appointment date
and/or Niagara Falls International Airport
.
, Niagara Falls
, Lockport
, Lackawanna
, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda
. Service to less populated areas during prime ridership hours extend to Alden
, Amherst
, Boston
, Cheektowaga
, Grand Island
, Hamburg
, Lancaster
, Elma
, Evans
, Orchard Park
, Tonawanda (Township)
and West Seneca
in Erie County; Cambria
, Lewiston
, Niagara
, Pendleton
and Wheatfield
in Niagara County.
Twin Coaches and Mack
buses that were nearing the end of their life span were also added to the fleet.
The first major purchase of new buses by the NFTA began in 1975 with AM General
's "Metropolitan" series buses. These buses were withdrawn from service in 1987 due to severe structural issues. A purchase of recently-mothballed GMC buses from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit
system (DART) and Flxible buses from Rochester's Regional Transit Service filled most of the gap left by the removal of the AM General buses.
The next major purchase of new buses came from GMC, in their RTS-II Series
. These buses were purchased between 1978 and 1983. In 1987, due to the premature retirement of the AM General buses, the NFTA purchased a number of used, earlier series RTS series buses from Dallas' DART system. These buses provided comfortable padded seats, normally not seen on standard NFTA transit coaches. These buses operated for a number of years, and were a deal to the NFTA in that the coach bodies previously did not suffer damage from road salt, sometimes referred to as "salt-free" miles, extending their usefulness a number of years because of the frames having a later start being introduced to road salt.
In 1985, the NFTA purchased seven suburban-configuration buses from Orion Bus Industries
(OBI) to begin replacing older inherited GMC buses from the beginnings of the NFTA. This marked the last purchase of non-lift equipped buses, and first non-American purchase of new buses. Over the next seven years, OBI received more business from the NFTA with purchases of two different models, the Orion I series, and the Orion V, which the NFTA later purchased in 1993 as their first natural gas
powered buses.
In 1992 and 1994, the NFTA purchased from two manufacturers, new to the NFTA; Motor Coach Industries
and New Flyer Industries
.
The current bus fleet contains buses purchased from manufacturers such as American Ikarus
, Nova Bus
, and Gillig
. The buses are split between three bus depots; Gisel-Wolford station (also known as Babcock/William), located on Babcock Street at Howard Street in the east side of Buffalo; Cold Spring station, located at the corner of Main Street and Michigan Avenue in the middle of the city; and Frontier station, located at the corner of Military Road and Kenmore Avenue at the south-west tip of the Village of Kenmore.
The light rail fleet operates from the South Park terminal, located at the foot of Main Street in Downtown Buffalo.
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 connecting the city's east side and west side, 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 transfer 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.
It has been normal practice for each route to be 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.
When boarding a bus or light rail car, the rider should note the following:
The service planning department of the NFTA monitors ridership levels, historical data from previous years and looks for the most efficient way to offer services on an approximately quarterly basis. With this, timetables are generally updated four times a year; in March, June, September and December. When Buffalo Public Schools
are on break or summer recess, there may be decreases in the service levels to accommodate for decreased ridership. Beginning Labor Day
weekend, service reverts back to the normal levels.
The NFTA's original "Hublink" concept, now renamed "MetroLink", created a network of routes (numbered in the 200 and 300 series range) linking multiple transit centers together, using cutaway vans. A minimum service standard was created, where buses were to operate on a frequent schedule through the day, moving passengers across the region. Additionally, circulatory routes were to be created linking passengers with community-based services for a number of high-density areas that cannot support normal city bus transit service.
Though refined from the earlier plans, some routes came to reality.
Routes 200 and 201 were the first two routes; route 200 operating across the width of the City of North Tonawanda to get to Creekside Park and Ride lot and then Niagara Falls Boulevard to Niagara Falls International Airport, and route 200 serving the City of Lockport on a circulatory route serving the Lockport Memorial Hospital, the senior citizen's center, and Downtown Lockport. Both routes are also scheduled to connect to conventional service routes at their end terminals or transit centers they arrive at along the route.
In the middle part of 2009, the NFTA hired Transportation Management and Design,Inc. to begin a "Transit Service Restructuring and Fare Study", that would involve some of the largest changes that the riding public has seen since the last major restructuring of March 1993.
Some of the new proposals included reducing the number of fare zones to a single zone and creating a uniform boarding fare without additional fees for crossing particular fare zone lines, elimination of bus-to-bus transfers, and modifying the pricing of cash fares, monthly and daily passes. The proposals were passed, and went into effect on September 1, 2010.
On the scheduling side, more emphasis would be taken on urban services, primarily within the City of Buffalo. Service on primary corridors, such as those serving densely patronized routes could find an increase in service levels during non-peak hours, promoting spontaneous usage. Lightly patronized routes may find reductions to fit ridership statistics, and allow the agency to more effectively use the buses on heavier patronized routes. In addition, weekend service was improved significantly on many city routes with Sunday service nearly tripled on certain portions of some routes.
Approval of the plan was reached between TMD, Inc. and the NFTA executive board in late June, 2010, and the changes were implemented with a special later autumn schedule change on October 31, 2010. In the following two months until the next scheduled schedule change, the NFTA Metro service planning department made minor tweaks to the schedules, based on driver input, customer complaints and other sources, most notably adding services where necessary due to excessive passenger loads. With these changes, NFTA Metro lessened the impact during the next schedule change, since major problems were dealt with in a more timely manner.
The region's primary commercial airport, the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, connects with NFTA Metro services on a number of lines, including; routes 24-Genesee, 27-Erie County Home Shuttle, 47-Youngs Road, 68-George Urban Express, 204-Downtown/Airport Express, and 210-Buffalo Airport/Niagara Falls Express.
The Niagara Falls International Airport
serves a number of charter airlines. It is served by routes 55-Pine Avenue, 57-Tonawandas, and 200-North Tonawanda/Wheatfield.
stations, with two located in Erie County
, and one in Niagara County
,
The Depew Station
, located on Dick Road, between Broadway and Walden Avenues is served weekdays only by route 46-Lancaster. Of all regional stations, this is the only station that serves the Lake Shore Limited
train, to and from Chicago.
The Exchange Street Station
, located on Exchange Street, just east of Washington Street in Downtown Buffalo is served directly by route 24-Genesee, and is a short walk from the Metro Rail and a number of other bus routes that serve Washington Street. A disadvantage of the station, however, is its limited hours, necessitating passengers to wait outside for arriving and departing trains. Of the three region's stations, this station is the only one to receive daily public transportation service daily.
The Niagara Falls station, near the corner of Hyde Park Avenue and Lockport Road is served by weekdays and Saturdays by route 52-Hyde Park.
, located at the north-east corner of Ellicott and North Division streets. The BMTC hosts bus services operated by Greyhound, Coach USA, Coach Canada, Megabus, various Trailways franchisees and Lake Front Lines. The BMTC also houses at one of its gates, the starting point of routes 40-Grand Island and 60-Niagara Falls Express buses, operated by the NFTA.
There are three types of payments a passenger may make to ride the bus.
The current fare structure became effective from September 1, 2010 after operating with a zone fare system, in which passengers paid fares depending on the number of zones traveled per ride. In addition, transfers, which allowed passengers to continue their journey on multiple routes was discontinued, leaving a pay-per-boarding rate. The only exception to this rule is transferring between bus/rail or rail/bus, using a "proof-of-payment" coupon provided at the payment source.
Of particular note, the previous fare set-up was a four zone system, which replaced a more complex 12 fare zone system in September of 1988, the earlier in place since the NFTA assumed operations from the previous Niagara Frontier Transportation System.
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. As of September 4, 2011, the NFTA will be re-introducing the service, though modified, using smaller Metro Link buses on its route 211.
Other colleges and universities that are currently included in the program are:
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 Scajaquada Expressway and Main Street. This route is designated as a "route 20E" service, and operates during school semesters only. It operates Thursday and Saturday nights during times that regular Metro service doesn't operate.
Source-NFTA Website
Metro Rail trains are stored at one depot:
Past Depots:
These stations use surrounding streets as boarding areas for buses.
and List of Buffalo Metro Rail Stations
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 First Niagara Center. This station is only served during major events, such as hockey, concerts and sports related functions.
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 (known as the North Buffalo Branch), to Niagara Falls following the old New York Central Railroad's "Beeliner" service (known as the Niagara River Corridor) and to the North Campus of the University at Buffalo, using abandoned railroad right-of-ways (known as the Youngmann Branch).
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.
Two cars (fleet numbers 114 and 123) were sent to Gray Manufacturing Industries in Hornell, New York in February of 2010 to undergo a complete refurbishment from top to bottom. GMI expects to return a car once each month, making the entire project last approximately two years to complete.
Among the items being refurbished, passengers will experience new seating, stanchions, electronic signage and new audio systems. Operation-wise, the shells of the car will be placed on refurbished trucks, with new wheels, gear boxes, overhauled traction motors, new pantographs, brakes and air compression systems.
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, referred to as "earth tone" or "candy corn". This color scheme is easiest to recognize at present on many of the Nova Bus "Classic" series coaches. As of 2011, 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 or retired. Alternatively, many of the Metro Rail trains still have retained the old color scheme. It has been expected that the remaining rail cars will be painted in the newer livery during their mid-life overhaul, currently being performed.
Previous to 1984, the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System had painted their fleet with a yellow and black scheme (during the 1970s), and maintained the red and cream color scheme used by the Niagara Frontier Transit System (1950-1960s). The International Railway Company, the predecessor to the Niagara Frontier Transportation System used either an orange and cream, or forest green and vermilion scheme for their vehicles.
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 NFTA 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 2000, the NFTA replaced its 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.
The largest union, the Amalgamated Transit Union
represents the drivers of the NFTA Metro division. Their branch is known as Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1342.
Another union, the International Longshoremen's Association
represents service and maintenance workers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport, Port of Buffalo, Metropolitan Transportation Center, Operations Center in Buffalo, Facilities Maintenance Center, Buffalo Transportation Center and the Niagara Falls Transportation Center. Their branch is known as the International Longshoremen's Association, Local 1949.
The members of the NFTA Police force are represented by the NFTA Police Benevolent Association.
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
and Niagara
Niagara County, New York
Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
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
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is an airport located in Cheektowaga CDP, Town of Cheektowaga, in Erie County, New York, USA. It is named after the Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The airport serves Buffalo, New York as well as Southern Ontario, Canada...
, the Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls International Airport
-Traffic figures:Niagara Falls International received 56,943 passengers in 2008. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 660 passenger boardings in calendar year 2005 and 1,409 unscheduled enplanements in 2006....
, 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
Buffalo Metro Rail
The NFTA has a fleet of 26 rigid-bodied LRVs for the Metro Rail system, numbered sequentially from 101 to 127. They were built by Tokyu Car Corporation of Japan. One car was damaged in transit and later purchased by a restaurateur, Bertrand H. Hoak, of Hamburg, as an addition to Hoak's Armor Inn...
, NFTA Metrolink, and NFTA PAL (Para-transit Access Line).
In addition, the NFTA also owns and manages the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center
Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center
The Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located on the southeast corner of North Division and Ellicott Streets in Downtown Buffalo, New York...
in Downtown Buffalo
Buffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
(which serves as the agency's headquarters); the Niagara Falls Transportation Center on Military Road (near the Factory Outlet Mall),the Portage Road Transit Center in Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
; 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
International Railway Co.
The International Railway Company was a transportation company formed in a 1902 merger between several Buffalo-area Interurban and street railways. The city railways that merged were the West Side Street Railway, the Crosstown Street Railway and the Buffalo Traction Company...
, an earlier predecessor to the NFTA.
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.
There are three divisions that operate as the NFTA organization, the NFTA Metro division, the NFTA Airports division and the NFTA Properties division.
History
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 (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 (NFTA) in 1967, as part of New York State's efforts in the late 1960s and early 1970s at creating public agencies that would oversee the development and continuation of public transportation in a number of key urban areas of the state; other such agencies include the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority (RGRTA), the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
Central New York Regional Transportation Authority
The Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, known as Centro, is the operator of mass transit in Onondaga, Oswego, Cayuga, and Oneida counties in New York state. The CNYRTA was formed on August 1, 1970, along with similar agencies in Rochester, Albany, and Buffalo...
(Centro), and the Capital District Transportation Authority
Capital District Transportation Authority
The Capital District Transportation Authority is a public benefit organization that provides transportation in the Capital District of New York State...
(CDTA). NFTA purchased the street transportation rights from seven other private agencies, which include the 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.
Governing body and executive director
The NFTA's operations are overseen by an 11 member Board of Commissioners, that the Executive DirectorExecutive director
Executive director is a term sometimes applied to the chief executive officer or managing director of an organization, company, or corporation. It is widely used in North American non-profit organizations, though in recent decades many U.S. nonprofits have adopted the title "President/CEO"...
reports to. The NFTA board has members that are recommended by the Governor of the State of New York
Governor of New York
The Governor of the State of New York is the chief executive of the State of New York. The governor is the head of the executive branch of New York's state government and the commander-in-chief of the state's military and naval forces. The officeholder is afforded the courtesy title of His/Her...
, and one by the New York State Senate
New York State Senate
The New York State Senate is one of two houses in the New York State Legislature and has members each elected to two-year terms. There are no limits on the number of terms one may serve...
. Most appointments are for five year terms, but some commissioners were installed part-way into a term, replacing the previous commissioners.
The present executive director is Kimberly Minkel, previously the Director of Health, Safety, and Environmental Quality. Kimberly Minkel will also carry the recognition as the first female executive director of the NFTA.
| Name | Title | Term began | Current term ends | Recommended by | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Henry M. Sloma | Acting Chairman | 6 May 1998, 20 March 2001 (R), 22 June 2005 (R) |
30 June 2010 | Governor | |
| Eunice A. Lewin | Treasurer | 11 June 2002, 30 June 2006 (R) |
30 June 2011 | Governor | |
| Peter G. Demakos | Secretary | 13 June 2000, 30 June 2003 (R), 30 June 2008 (R) |
30 June 2013 | Governor | |
| Vincent G. Crehan | - | 18 July 2008 | 30 June 2016 | New York State Senate | |
| Mark D. Croce | - | 12 May 2009 | 30 June 2013 | Governor | |
| James J. Eagan | - | 23 July 2008 | 30 June 2011 | Governor | |
| Carmen Granto | - | 6 December 2004 | 30 June 2009 | Governor | |
| Kevin J. Helfer | - | 11 December 2006 | 30 June 2011 | Governor | |
| Michael P. Hughes | - | 15 December 2008 | 30 June 2013 | Governor | |
| Adam W. Perry | - | 29 January 2008 | 30 June 2012 | Governor | |
| Howard Zemsky | - | 11 April 2008 | 30 June 2012 | Governor |
(R) re-appointment date
NFTA Airports Division
for further reading, please see Buffalo Niagara International AirportBuffalo Niagara International Airport
Buffalo Niagara International Airport is an airport located in Cheektowaga CDP, Town of Cheektowaga, in Erie County, New York, USA. It is named after the Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The airport serves Buffalo, New York as well as Southern Ontario, Canada...
and/or Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls International Airport
-Traffic figures:Niagara Falls International received 56,943 passengers in 2008. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 660 passenger boardings in calendar year 2005 and 1,409 unscheduled enplanements in 2006....
.
NFTA Metro Division
Benefit (service) area
NFTA's Metro system serves mostly the highly urbanized areas of Erie and Niagara counties with service throughout the day; the cities served include BuffaloBuffalo, New York
Buffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, Niagara Falls
Niagara Falls, New York
Niagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
, Lockport
Lockport (city), New York
Lockport is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 21,165 at the 2010 census. The name is derived from a set of Erie canal locks within the city. Lockport is the county seat of Niagara County and is surrounded by the town of Lockport...
, Lackawanna
Lackawanna, New York
Lackawanna is a city in Erie County, New York, U.S., located just south of the city of Buffalo in the western part of New York state. The population was 18,141 at the 2010 census. The name derives from the Lackawanna Steel Company...
, Tonawanda and North Tonawanda
North Tonawanda, New York
North Tonawanda is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 31,568 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city is named after Tonawanda Creek, its south border...
. Service to less populated areas during prime ridership hours extend to Alden
Alden (town), New York
Alden is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 10,470 at the 2000 census. The town is derived from a family name known to early settlers....
, Amherst
Amherst, New York
Amherst is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 122,366. This represents an increase of 5.0% from the 2000 census. The town is named for Jeffrey Amherst, a British Army officer of the colonial period...
, Boston
Boston, New York
Boston is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 7,897 at the 2000 census. The town is named after Boston, Massachusetts....
, Cheektowaga
Cheektowaga (town), New York
Cheektowaga is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 94,019. The name comes from the Iroquoian word Ji-ik-do-wa-gah, meaning the place of the crab apple tree...
, Grand Island
Grand Island, New York
Grand Island is a town and an island in Erie County, New York, USA. As of the 2010 census, the town population is 20,374. This represents an increase of 9.41% from the 2000 census figure . The current town name derives from the French name La Grande Île, as Grand Island is the largest island in...
, Hamburg
Hamburg, New York
Hamburg, New York may refer to the following locationsIn Erie County, New York:*Hamburg , New York*Hamburg , New York In Greene County, New York*Hamburg , New York...
, Lancaster
Lancaster, New York
Lancaster, New York may refer to the following locations in Erie County, New York:*Lancaster , New York*Lancaster , New York...
, Elma
Elma, New York
Elma is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 11,304 at the 2000 census. The town is named after a type of tree.The Town of Elma is located in the north-central part of the county, east of Buffalo, New York. Because of its location, Elma likes to refer to itself as the...
, Evans
Evans, New York
Evans is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 17,594 at the 2000 census. The town derives its name from David E. Evans, an agent of the Holland Land Company and nephew of land agent Joseph Ellicott....
, Orchard Park
Orchard Park (town), New York
Orchard Park is a town in Erie County, New York, a suburb southeast of Buffalo, New York. According to the 2010 census, the population is 29,054. This represents an increase of 5.13% from the 2000 census figure. The town contains a village also named Orchard Park. Orchard Park is one of the...
, Tonawanda (Township)
Tonawanda (town), New York
Tonawanda is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a population of 78,155. The town is at the north border of the county and is the northern suburb of Buffalo...
and West Seneca
West Seneca, New York
West Seneca is a town in Erie County, New York, United States. The population was 44,711 at the 2010 census. West Seneca is a centrally-located interior town of the county, and a suburb of Buffalo...
in Erie County; Cambria
Cambria, New York
Cambria is a town in Niagara County, New York, USA. The population was 5,839 at the 2010 census. Cambria is an early name for Wales.The Town of Cambria is in the center of Niagara County.New York State Route 93 passes through the town.- History :...
, Lewiston
Lewiston, New York
Lewiston is a village in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 2,781 at the 2000 census. The village is named after Morgan Lewis, an early 19th-century governor of New York. It is part of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area.The Village of Lewiston,...
, Niagara
Niagara, New York
Niagara is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the town had a total population of 8,378. The town is named after the famous waterfall Niagara Falls....
, Pendleton
Pendleton, New York
Pendleton is a town on the southern edge of Niagara County, New York, United States. It is east of the city of Niagara Falls and southwest of the city of Lockport. The population was 6,397 at the 2010 census.- History :...
and Wheatfield
Wheatfield, New York
Wheatfield is a town in Niagara County, New York, United States. The population was 18,117 at the 2010 census. The name stems from the agricultural use of the town lands: Growing Wheat....
in Niagara County.
Transit fleet
Retired fleet
The NFTA, upon its beginnings, inherited a large number of buses of different varieties of General Motors New Look buses from the private carriers that were absorbed into the agency. In addition, a small fleet of Highway Products'Highway Products, Inc.
Highway Products, Inc., Kent, Ohio was formed by J. T. Myers in 1960 to manufacture truck bodies for specialty markets such as mobile post offices. In 1968 Highway Products introduced a 25-passenger bus and sold it under the Twin Coach name. Approximately 900 buses were built under the Twin Coach...
Twin Coaches and Mack
Mack Trucks
Mack Trucks is an American truck-manufacturing company and a former manufacturer of buses and trolley buses. A wholly owned subsidiary of Renault Véhicules Industriels since 1990, Mack Trucks is currently a subsidiary of AB Volvo. The company's headquarters are located in Greensboro, North Carolina...
buses that were nearing the end of their life span were also added to the fleet.
The first major purchase of new buses by the NFTA began in 1975 with AM General
AM General
AM General is an American heavy vehicle manufacturer based in South Bend, Indiana. It is best known for the civilian Hummer and the military Humvee, that is assembled in Mishawaka, Indiana...
's "Metropolitan" series buses. These buses were withdrawn from service in 1987 due to severe structural issues. A purchase of recently-mothballed GMC buses from the Dallas Area Rapid Transit
Dallas Area Rapid Transit
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit authority is a transit agency based in Dallas, Texas . It operates buses, light rail, commuter rail, and high-occupancy vehicle lanes in Dallas and 12 of its suburbs...
system (DART) and Flxible buses from Rochester's Regional Transit Service filled most of the gap left by the removal of the AM General buses.
The next major purchase of new buses came from GMC, in their RTS-II Series
Rapid Transit Series
The Rapid Transit Series bus is a long-running series of transit buses originally manufactured by General Motors and is currently produced by Millennium Transit Services as the RTS Legend. Millennium had produced the buses from 2006 until it shut down production in 2009, only to be bought back...
. These buses were purchased between 1978 and 1983. In 1987, due to the premature retirement of the AM General buses, the NFTA purchased a number of used, earlier series RTS series buses from Dallas' DART system. These buses provided comfortable padded seats, normally not seen on standard NFTA transit coaches. These buses operated for a number of years, and were a deal to the NFTA in that the coach bodies previously did not suffer damage from road salt, sometimes referred to as "salt-free" miles, extending their usefulness a number of years because of the frames having a later start being introduced to road salt.
In 1985, the NFTA purchased seven suburban-configuration buses from Orion Bus Industries
Orion Bus Industries
Orion International, previously Orion Bus Industries and Ontario Bus Industries in Canada and Bus Industries of America in the United States, is a bus manufacturer based in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada and established by the Government of Ontario in 1975...
(OBI) to begin replacing older inherited GMC buses from the beginnings of the NFTA. This marked the last purchase of non-lift equipped buses, and first non-American purchase of new buses. Over the next seven years, OBI received more business from the NFTA with purchases of two different models, the Orion I series, and the Orion V, which the NFTA later purchased in 1993 as their first natural gas
Natural gas
Natural gas is a naturally occurring gas mixture consisting primarily of methane, typically with 0–20% higher hydrocarbons . It is found associated with other hydrocarbon fuel, in coal beds, as methane clathrates, and is an important fuel source and a major feedstock for fertilizers.Most natural...
powered buses.
In 1992 and 1994, the NFTA purchased from two manufacturers, new to the NFTA; Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries
Motor Coach Industries International Inc. is an American bus manufacturer based in Schaumburg, Illinois, and is a leading participant in the North American coach bus industry. It has various operating subsidiaries:...
and New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries
New Flyer Industries Inc. is a bus manufacturer in North America, headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. It also has factories in Crookston and St. Cloud, Minnesota, USA.-History:...
.
Current fleet
Currently, the NFTA operates a fleet of approximately 324 transit buses (all of which are wheelchair-accessible and ADA compliant), 64 paratransit and Metrolink cutaway vans and 27 light rail cars, operating up to 22 hours daily on 78 distinct routes.The current bus fleet contains buses purchased from manufacturers such as American Ikarus
North American Bus Industries
North American Bus Industries, commonly known as NABI, is a major transit bus manufacturing company based in Anniston, Alabama. NABI was founded in 1992 when the Hungarian firm Ikarus Bus, a key bus supplier to Central, Eastern Europe, spun off a majority share of their American operations to...
, Nova Bus
Nova Bus
Nova Bus is a Canadian bus manufacturer in North America, owned by Volvo Buses, and headquartered in Saint-Eustache, Quebec, Canada.- History :The factory was originally a General Motors plant for building city transit buses intended for the Canadian market...
, and Gillig
Gillig
Gillig Corporation, formerly Gillig Bros., is a manufacturer of heavy-duty low-floor transit buses located in Hayward, California. Prior to 1993, Gillig had also been a manufacturer of school buses.-History:...
. The buses are split between three bus depots; Gisel-Wolford station (also known as Babcock/William), located on Babcock Street at Howard Street in the east side of Buffalo; Cold Spring station, located at the corner of Main Street and Michigan Avenue in the middle of the city; and Frontier station, located at the corner of Military Road and Kenmore Avenue at the south-west tip of the Village of Kenmore.
The light rail fleet operates from the South Park terminal, located at the foot of Main Street in Downtown Buffalo.
Fleet List
| Fleet Number(s) | Year | BldrA | Model | DivB | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 101-127 | 1983 | TCC | SP |
|
|
| 104 | 1967 | GMC | SDM-5302 | w/d |
|
| 114 | 1970 | GMC | S8M-5303A | w/d |
|
| 166, 168 | 1960 | GMC | SDM-4501 | w/d |
|
| 201-222 |
1991 | OBI/BIA | 05.501 | w/d |
|
| 300-319 | 1958 | GMC | TDH-5106 | w/d |
|
| 301-305 | ca. 1987 (built 1970) |
Flx | 111CD-D5 | w/d |
|
| 311-319 | 1968 | GMC | T6H-4521 | w/d |
|
| 311-317 | ca. 1987 (built 1968) |
GMC | T6H-4521 | w/d |
|
| 321-367 | ca. 1987 (built 1978) |
GMC | TH-8201 "RTS-01" |
w/d |
|
| 401-417 |
1992 | MCI | TC40-102A "Classic" | w/d | |
| 501-505 |
1993 | OBI/BIA | 05.501 CNG "Orion V" | w/d |
|
| 526-540 | 1968 | GMC | T6H-4521 | w/d |
|
| 601-607 | 1985 | OBI/BIA | 01.509 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 701-773 |
1986 | OBI/BIA | 01.508 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 801-816 |
1988 | OBI/BIA | 01.508 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 851-852 |
1988 | OBI/BIA | 01.502 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 861-867 |
1990 | OBI/BIA | 01.507 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 901-912 |
1989 | OBI/BIA | 01.508 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 921-925 |
1990 | OBI/BIA | 01.508 "Orion I" | w/d |
|
| 1001-1011 |
2010 | Gillig | Low Floor T40 Hybrid | CS |
|
| 1012-1065 |
2010 | Gillig | Low Floor T40 Diesel | Fr: 12-28, 60-65 BW: 29-49 CS: 50-59 |
|
| 1066-1067 |
2011 | Gillig | 40 Low Floor Trolley Replica | Fr |
|
| 1101-1130 |
2011 | Gillig | Low Floor T40 Hybrid | CS |
|
| 2001-2021 |
2000 | Nova | LFS | CS |
|
| 2101-2141 |
2001 | Gillig | Advantage T40 | Fr: 01-20 BW: 21-41 |
|
| 2201-2242 |
2002 | Gillig | Advantage T40 | Fr |
|
| 2401-2422 |
2004 | Gillig | Advantage T29 | Fr: 01-06, 17-22 BW: 07-11 CS: 12-16 |
|
| 2501-2515 |
2005 | Gillig | Advantage T40 | BW |
|
| 2601-2630 |
2006 | Gillig | Advantage T40 Hybrid | BW |
|
| 2701-2713 |
2007 | Gillig | Advantage T40 Hybrid | Fr |
|
| 3001-3012 |
1975 | HP | TC-31B "Twin Coach" |
w/d |
|
| 3051-3063 | 1976 | GMC | S8H-5304A | w/d |
|
| 4001-4070 | 1975-1976 | AMG | 9640A "Metropolitan" | w/d |
|
| 4071-4099 | 1975-1976 | AMG | 9635A "Metropolitan" | w/d |
|
| 5001-5065 | 1978-1979 | GMC | T8H-603 "RTS-03" |
w/d |
|
| 5066-5078 |
1980 | GMC | T8H-603 "RTS-03" |
w/d |
|
| 6001-6110 |
1983 | GMC | T8J-604 "RTS-04" |
w/d |
|
| 6200-6244 | 1957 | Mack | C49-DT | w/d |
|
| 6300-6359 | 1958 | Mack | C49-DT | w/d |
|
| 7001-7030 | 1954 | GMC | TDH-5106 | w/d |
|
| 7100-7114 | 1957 | GMC | TDH-5106 | w/d |
|
| 7401-7459 | 1960–1961 | GMC | TDH-5301 | w/d |
|
| 7501-7549 | 1963 | GMC | TDH-5304 | w/d |
|
| 7600-7684 | 1966 | GMC | TDH-5304 | w/d |
|
| 7685-7719 | 1967 | GMC | TDH-5304 | w/d |
|
| 7720-7794 | 1968 | GMC | T6H-5306 | w/d |
|
| 9301-9375 |
1994 | NFI | D40HF | w/d |
|
| 9501-9567 |
1995 | AI | 416 | BW |
|
| 9601-9641 |
1996 | Nova | TC40-102A "Classic" |
CS |
|
|
wheelchair-accessible and ADA compliant equipped with bicycle racks |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bus routes
for descriptions of current routes, see NFTA Metro Bus RoutesNFTA Metro Bus Routes
- Overview :NFTA Metro carried many of its present route numbers and names from the previous International Railway Company routes.Otherwise, much of the routing follows the following number schematic:* 1- 49 City of Buffalo and Erie County 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 connecting the city's east side and west side, 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 transfer 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
It has been normal practice for each route to be 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.
When boarding a bus or light rail car, the rider should note the following:
- The front of the vehicle destination signDestination signA destination sign or destination indicator is a sign mounted on the front or side of a public transport vehicle, such as a bus, tram/streetcar or light rail vehicle, that displays the vehicle's route number and destination, or the route's number and name on transit systems using route names...
shows 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. On occasion, a bus may also show a second message, such as "via Expressway" or "via Thruway".
The service planning department of the NFTA monitors ridership levels, historical data from previous years and looks for the most efficient way to offer services on an approximately quarterly basis. With this, timetables are generally updated four times a year; in March, June, September and December. When Buffalo Public Schools
Buffalo Public Schools
Buffalo Public Schools serves approximately 47,000 students in Buffalo, New York, the second largest city in the state of New York. It is located in Erie County of western New York and operates nearly 70 facilities.-History:...
are on break or summer recess, there may be decreases in the service levels to accommodate for decreased ridership. Beginning Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
weekend, service reverts back to the normal levels.
Past/previous routes
On occasion, the service planning department finds that services could be improved by combining routes serving similar areas, and removal of routes that don't meet minimum expectations of the NFTA service standards policy. Before a route is eliminated or changed, a public input meeting and then a public hearing are generally held to allow passengers that may be displaced or inconvenienced a chance to defend the services that they receive.
|
|
|
|
Hublink (MetroLink)
The NFTA's original "Hublink" concept, now renamed "MetroLink", created a network of routes (numbered in the 200 and 300 series range) linking multiple transit centers together, using cutaway vans. A minimum service standard was created, where buses were to operate on a frequent schedule through the day, moving passengers across the region. Additionally, circulatory routes were to be created linking passengers with community-based services for a number of high-density areas that cannot support normal city bus transit service.
Though refined from the earlier plans, some routes came to reality.
Routes 200 and 201 were the first two routes; route 200 operating across the width of the City of North Tonawanda to get to Creekside Park and Ride lot and then Niagara Falls Boulevard to Niagara Falls International Airport, and route 200 serving the City of Lockport on a circulatory route serving the Lockport Memorial Hospital, the senior citizen's center, and Downtown Lockport. Both routes are also scheduled to connect to conventional service routes at their end terminals or transit centers they arrive at along the route.
2010 restructuring
In the middle part of 2009, the NFTA hired Transportation Management and Design,Inc. to begin a "Transit Service Restructuring and Fare Study", that would involve some of the largest changes that the riding public has seen since the last major restructuring of March 1993.
Some of the new proposals included reducing the number of fare zones to a single zone and creating a uniform boarding fare without additional fees for crossing particular fare zone lines, elimination of bus-to-bus transfers, and modifying the pricing of cash fares, monthly and daily passes. The proposals were passed, and went into effect on September 1, 2010.
On the scheduling side, more emphasis would be taken on urban services, primarily within the City of Buffalo. Service on primary corridors, such as those serving densely patronized routes could find an increase in service levels during non-peak hours, promoting spontaneous usage. Lightly patronized routes may find reductions to fit ridership statistics, and allow the agency to more effectively use the buses on heavier patronized routes. In addition, weekend service was improved significantly on many city routes with Sunday service nearly tripled on certain portions of some routes.
Approval of the plan was reached between TMD, Inc. and the NFTA executive board in late June, 2010, and the changes were implemented with a special later autumn schedule change on October 31, 2010. In the following two months until the next scheduled schedule change, the NFTA Metro service planning department made minor tweaks to the schedules, based on driver input, customer complaints and other sources, most notably adding services where necessary due to excessive passenger loads. With these changes, NFTA Metro lessened the impact during the next schedule change, since major problems were dealt with in a more timely manner.
Connecting services
Although the NFTA system does not connect with another public transportation agency, the NFTA makes connections throughout the region with a number of other modes of transportation.Air
Although the NFTA has previously offered service into the region's airports, it has made further efforts to improve these services to passengers arriving and departing.The region's primary commercial airport, the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, connects with NFTA Metro services on a number of lines, including; routes 24-Genesee, 27-Erie County Home Shuttle, 47-Youngs Road, 68-George Urban Express, 204-Downtown/Airport Express, and 210-Buffalo Airport/Niagara Falls Express.
The Niagara Falls International Airport
Niagara Falls International Airport
-Traffic figures:Niagara Falls International received 56,943 passengers in 2008. As per Federal Aviation Administration records, the airport had 660 passenger boardings in calendar year 2005 and 1,409 unscheduled enplanements in 2006....
serves a number of charter airlines. It is served by routes 55-Pine Avenue, 57-Tonawandas, and 200-North Tonawanda/Wheatfield.
Amtrak
The Buffalo-Niagara region has three AmtrakAmtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
stations, with two located in Erie County
Erie County, New York
Erie County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 919,040. The county seat is Buffalo. The county's name comes from Lake Erie, which in turn comes from the Erie tribe of American Indians who lived south and east of the lake before 1654.Erie...
, and one in Niagara County
Niagara County, New York
Niagara County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 216,469. The county seat is Lockport. The county name is from the Iroquois word Onguiaahra; meaning the strait or thunder of waters. It is the location of Niagara Falls and Fort Niagara, and...
,
The Depew Station
Buffalo-Depew (Amtrak station)
Buffalo–Depew Station is an Amtrak station in Depew, New York.According to the , Buffalo–Depew station is near the site where in 1893, Empire State Express Locomotive #999 attained a top speed of , covering the distance between Depew and Forks, New York in 32 seconds, making it the fastest...
, located on Dick Road, between Broadway and Walden Avenues is served weekdays only by route 46-Lancaster. Of all regional stations, this is the only station that serves the Lake Shore Limited
Lake Shore Limited
The Lake Shore Limited is a daily passenger train route operated by Amtrak in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States. The train runs between Chicago and Albany, NY, where it divides into two sections that provide thru-service to New York and Boston...
train, to and from Chicago.
The Exchange Street Station
Buffalo-Exchange Street Station
The Buffalo – Exchange Street Station is an Amtrak train station. There are plans for relocating this station.-History:...
, located on Exchange Street, just east of Washington Street in Downtown Buffalo is served directly by route 24-Genesee, and is a short walk from the Metro Rail and a number of other bus routes that serve Washington Street. A disadvantage of the station, however, is its limited hours, necessitating passengers to wait outside for arriving and departing trains. Of the three region's stations, this station is the only one to receive daily public transportation service daily.
The Niagara Falls station, near the corner of Hyde Park Avenue and Lockport Road is served by weekdays and Saturdays by route 52-Hyde Park.
Bus (inter-city)
Most buses that service Downtown Buffalo operate within a couple blocks of the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation CenterBuffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center
The Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located on the southeast corner of North Division and Ellicott Streets in Downtown Buffalo, New York...
, located at the north-east corner of Ellicott and North Division streets. The BMTC hosts bus services operated by Greyhound, Coach USA, Coach Canada, Megabus, various Trailways franchisees and Lake Front Lines. The BMTC also houses at one of its gates, the starting point of routes 40-Grand Island and 60-Niagara Falls Express buses, operated by the NFTA.
Cash and passes
The NFTA operates on an "exact fare" system, in which drivers and operators do not make change.There are three types of payments a passenger may make to ride the bus.
- A single boarding charge of $1.75 may be made, per boarding ($.75 for seniors, disabled, and children under 12).
- A day pass (allowing unlimited boardings per day) can be purchased for $4.00 per day ($2.00 for seniors, disabled and children).
- A monthly pass (allowing unlimited boarding per calendar month) can be purchased for $64.00 ($32.00 for seniors, disabled, and children).
The current fare structure became effective from September 1, 2010 after operating with a zone fare system, in which passengers paid fares depending on the number of zones traveled per ride. In addition, transfers, which allowed passengers to continue their journey on multiple routes was discontinued, leaving a pay-per-boarding rate. The only exception to this rule is transferring between bus/rail or rail/bus, using a "proof-of-payment" coupon provided at the payment source.
Of particular note, the previous fare set-up was a four zone system, which replaced a more complex 12 fare zone system in September of 1988, the earlier in place since the NFTA assumed operations from the previous Niagara Frontier Transportation System.
College cooperative agreements
In recent years, the NFTA has aggressively pursued agreements with many local colleges and universities, using their "NFTA Unlimited Access" program. Under the program, 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
Erie Community College
Erie Community College is a two-year community college that is part of the 64-campus SUNY system. It is the fourth-largest community college in New York State....
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. As of September 4, 2011, the NFTA will be re-introducing the service, though modified, using smaller Metro Link buses on its route 211.
Other colleges and universities that are currently included in the program are:
- Buffalo State CollegeBuffalo State CollegeThe State University of New York College at Buffalo, referred to as Buffalo State College, often referred to colloquially as Buff State, is a public, liberal arts college in Buffalo, New York, United States and is part of the State University of New York. Buffalo State was founded in 1871 as the...
(Routes 206) - Medaille CollegeMedaille CollegeMedaille College a private liberal arts college located in the historic Olmsted Crescent of Buffalo, New York, that draws extensively from the Western New York and Southern Ontario regions. It is a private, nonsectarian, co-educational institution.-History:...
(Route 209) - Canisius CollegeCanisius CollegeCanisius College is a private Roman Catholic college in Buffalo, New York, United States. The college was founded in 1870 by members of the Society of Jesus from Germany and is named after St. Peter Canisius. The college is one of 28 institutions in the Association of Jesuit Colleges and...
- Bryant and Stratton Business CollegeBryant and StrattonBryant & Stratton College is a for-profit college with campuses in New York, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Founded in 1854, the college offers two-year programs at all campuses and four-year programs at select campuses. This school began as a business institute, but now is an accredited...
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 Scajaquada Expressway and Main Street. This route is designated as a "route 20E" service, and operates during school semesters only. It operates Thursday and Saturday nights during times that regular Metro service doesn't operate.
Source-NFTA Website
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 CenterBuffalo Metropolitan Transportation CenterThe Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located on the southeast corner of North Division and Ellicott Streets in Downtown Buffalo, New York...
Ellicott & North Division, in Downtown Buffalo - built in 1977; also NFTA's headquarters - 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 5New York State Route 5New York State Route 5 is a state highway that extends for across the state of New York in the United States. It begins at the Pennsylvania state line in the Chautauqua County town of Ripley and passes through Buffalo, Syracuse, Utica, Schenectady, and several other smaller cities and...
- Southgate Plaza near Citibank
- Niagara Falls International Airport on Niagara Falls Boulevard
- 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 serving as terminals for NFTA 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).Stations with bus loops
- Utica, Main Street at East Utica Street
- Delavan/Canisius College (previously Delavan/College), Main Street at East Delavan Avenue
- LaSalle, Main Street & LaSalle Avenue
- University (previously South Campus), Main Street between Niagara Falls Blvd. and Capen Blvd.
Stations without bus loops
- Erie Canal Harbor (previously Auditorium), 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 (previously Allen-Hospital), Main Street, at Allen Street
- Summer-Best, Main Street at Best Street
- Humboldt/Hospital, Main Street at Kensington Avenue
- Amherst, Main Street & Amherst Street & Parker Avenue
These stations use surrounding streets as boarding areas for buses.
Active bus loops
- Andrews Loop northwest corner of Genesee Street and Andrews, Cheektowaga
- City Line (Wildwood) Loop on Seneca at Buffalo City Line
- Ellicott Loop bounded by North Division, South Division, Ellicott and Oak Streets, Buffalo
- Fernwood Loop at the foot of Rossler at Clinton Street, Buffalo
- Goethe Loop southeast corner of Lovejoy Avenue and Goethe Street, Buffalo
- Huntley Loop on Kensington near Huntley, Buffalo/Cheektowaga
- Jersey Left on exit from Main Street at Bailey Avenue, Buffalo
- Michael Loop southeast corner of Broadway and Michael Street, Sloan
- Orchard Loop on southeast corner of Delaware at Orchard, Tonawanda
- Paramount Loop on Colvin at Paramount, Tonawanda
- Southside Loop northeast corner of Bailey Avenue and Abbott Road, Buffalo
- Vulcan (Baxter) Loop northeast corner of Vulcan and Baxter Street, Buffalo
- Walden/Bailey (St. Mary's) Loop on Walden, west of Bailey Avenue
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 Road, 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.
- Nason Loop at the Botanical Gardens
- 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)
For further reading, please see: Buffalo Metro RailBuffalo Metro Rail
The NFTA has a fleet of 26 rigid-bodied LRVs for the Metro Rail system, numbered sequentially from 101 to 127. They were built by Tokyu Car Corporation of Japan. One car was damaged in transit and later purchased by a restaurateur, Bertrand H. Hoak, of Hamburg, as an addition to Hoak's Armor Inn...
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
Seneca (Metro Rail)
Seneca is a Buffalo Metro Rail station located on the Buffalo Place right-of-way corridor in downtown Buffalo, New York. The station is located on Main Street between Seneca and Swan Streets....
, Church
Church (Metro Rail)
Church is a Buffalo Metro Rail station that serves downtown Buffalo, New York, near Church and Pearl Streets.The station is in the "fare-free" zone, which allows passengers free travel between Erie Canal Harbor station to the south and Theater station to the north...
, Lafayette Square
Lafayette Square (Metro Rail)
Lafayette Square is a Buffalo Metro Rail station near City Hall and is near the center of the Buffalo, New York's Central Business District at Lafayette Square.Lafayette Square station is located on Main Street, between Lafayette Square and Mohawk Streets....
, Fountain Plaza
Fountain Plaza (Metro Rail)
Fountain Plaza, formerly Huron, is a Buffalo Metro Rail station in downtown Buffalo, New York. The station is located on Main Street, between Huron and Chippewa Streets....
, Theater
Theater (Metro Rail)
Theater is a Buffalo Metro Rail station that serves the entertainment and theater districts of downtown Buffalo, New York. The station is located on Main Street between Chippawa Street and Tupper Street....
, Allen-Medical Campus
Allen-Medical Campus (Metro Rail)
Allen-Medical Campus, , is a station at the north end of Buffalo, New York's downtown area.The station is across the street from the eastern terminus of Allen Street and is the last underground station to the south and station requiring payment before entering Theater station and the fare-free...
, Summer-Best
Summer-Best (Metro Rail)
Summer-Best is a Buffalo Metro Rail station serving the junction of Summer and Best Streets at Main Street.-Notable places nearby:* Anchor Bar* Allentown* City Honors School* Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site-Station artwork:...
, Utica
Utica (Metro Rail)
Utica Station is a Buffalo Metro Rail station, located on Main Street at East Utica Street in the city of Buffalo.-Bus connections:Boarding from Bus Loop:* 12-East Utica* 13-KensingtonBoarded on Main Street:* 8-Main StreetBoarding from East Utica:...
, Delavan-Canisius College, Humboldt-Hospital
Humboldt-Hospital (Metro Rail)
Humboldt-Hospital Station is located at the western terminus of Kensington Avenue and Main Street in the City of Buffalo, New York. To not confuse, Kensington Avenue rejoins Main Street again in Williamsville on its eastern terminus....
, Amherst Street
Amherst Street (Metro Rail)
Amherst Street Station is a Metro Rail underground station located on Main Street at Amherst Street, in the City of Buffalo.-Bus connections:...
, LaSalle, and University
University (Metro Rail)
University Station , is the last and most northerly station on the Buffalo Metro Rail line....
. An additional station, called "Special Events
Special Events (Metro Rail)
Special Events, formerly Arena, is the terminus and southernmost station in the Buffalo Metro Rail system. The station is located next to and serves the First Niagara Center....
" Station, sits just south of the current Erie Canal Harbor Station allowing passengers a shorter walk to the First Niagara Center. This station is only served during major events, such as hockey, concerts and sports related functions.
Future plans for the Metro Rail
For further reading, please see: Citizens Regional Transit CorporationCitizens Regional Transit Corporation
The Citizens Regional Transportation Corporation is a grass-roots organization promoting the implementation and expansions of light-rail service for the City of Buffalo and the surrounding Buffalo/Niagara region in New York State.- Overview :...
The Citizens Regional Transit Corporation
Citizens Regional Transit Corporation
The Citizens Regional Transportation Corporation is a grass-roots organization promoting the implementation and expansions of light-rail service for the City of Buffalo and the surrounding Buffalo/Niagara region in New York State.- Overview :...
(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 (known as the North Buffalo Branch), to Niagara Falls following the old New York Central Railroad's "Beeliner" service (known as the Niagara River Corridor) and to the North Campus of the University at Buffalo, using abandoned railroad right-of-ways (known as the Youngmann Branch).
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 CorporationTokyu Car Corporationis a manufacturer of heavy rail cars in Japan. The company is based in Kanazawa Ward, Yokohama, Japan, and a member of Tokyu Group. Tokyu Car manufactures rail vehicles not only for Tokyu Corporation but for other Japanese operators, including various Japan Railways Group companies and...
, 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: (standard gaugeStandard gaugeThe standard gauge is a widely-used track gauge . Approximately 60% of the world's existing railway lines are built to this gauge...
)
Fleet refurbishment
Two cars (fleet numbers 114 and 123) were sent to Gray Manufacturing Industries in Hornell, New York in February of 2010 to undergo a complete refurbishment from top to bottom. GMI expects to return a car once each month, making the entire project last approximately two years to complete.
Among the items being refurbished, passengers will experience new seating, stanchions, electronic signage and new audio systems. Operation-wise, the shells of the car will be placed on refurbished trucks, with new wheels, gear boxes, overhauled traction motors, new pantographs, brakes and air compression systems.
Coloring and print media
The current color scheme (navy, grey and burgundy) first appeared 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, referred to as "earth tone" or "candy corn". This color scheme is easiest to recognize at present on many of the Nova Bus "Classic" series coaches. As of 2011, 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 or retired. Alternatively, many of the Metro Rail trains still have retained the old color scheme. It has been expected that the remaining rail cars will be painted in the newer livery during their mid-life overhaul, currently being performed.
Previous to 1984, the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System had painted their fleet with a yellow and black scheme (during the 1970s), and maintained the red and cream color scheme used by the Niagara Frontier Transit System (1950-1960s). The International Railway Company, the predecessor to the Niagara Frontier Transportation System used either an orange and cream, or forest green and vermilion scheme for their vehicles.
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 NFTA 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 2000, the NFTA replaced its logo type with one similar to "Impact
Impact (typeface)
Impact is a realist sans-serif typeface designed by Geoffrey Lee in 1965 and released by the Stephenson Blake foundry. Its ultra-thick strokes, compressed letterspacing, and minimal interior counterform are specifically aimed, as its name suggests, to "impact". Impact has a high x-height, reaching...
" 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.
Present and past slogans
- "Serving Buffalo/Niagara"
- "Serving the Niagara Region"
- "Let Metro Take You Where You Want to Go!" (past)
- "The System Works" (past)
- "You and I Go Places Together" (past)
- "We're Going Your Way!" (past)
Noteworthy dates and events
- April 1, 1974: The NFTA takeover of the Niagara Frontier Transit System, Inc. occurred on this date.
- October 9, 1984: Metro Rail begins service in the Downtown Central Business District, between Auditorium and Theater Stations.
- 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.
- April 1, 1990: The NFTA experiences a two-day 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 Erie County officials, and service resumed later in the day following (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.
- October 26, 1999: Longtime Metro Bus driver Gilbert Rogers was fatally injured in an accident across Genesee Street at the Buffalo Niagara International AirportBuffalo Niagara International AirportBuffalo Niagara International Airport is an airport located in Cheektowaga CDP, Town of Cheektowaga, in Erie County, New York, USA. It is named after the Buffalo – Niagara Falls metropolitan area. The airport serves Buffalo, New York as well as Southern Ontario, Canada...
. The bus was reported to collide with a westbound tractor-trailer loaded with crushed stone shortly before 7:00am. John R. Battle, Chief of the NFTA police was quoted that "...it appears that the bus driver had the right-of-way and that the truck driver was unable to stop his vehicle at the intersection. There's a lot of momentum when you have a truck loaded with that much stone." Witnesses told police that the truck had already began wobbling and losing some of its stones as it approached the intersection, which was controlled by a traffic light. The driver of the truck pleaded guilty later and was fined $1,100.00, but was spared jail time. As part of the plea deal, prosecution dismissed charges of unreasonable speed and an overweight vehicle. - 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 Factory 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. The building was the first new build of a transportation in more than 30 years by the NFTA. It was also built in the Town of Niagara, compared to Downtown Niagara Falls so that it was more central in Niagara County.
- 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.
- September 5, 2008: Reminiscent of the Cynthia Wiggins lawsuit of 1995, the NFTA is banned by the owners of the Quaker Crossing shopping complex in Orchard Park. Allegations of the ban being racially motivated were denied by the mall owners, who instead cited 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.
- October 31, 2010: NFTA Metro embarked on a sweeping change to its service network, following a multi-year study by TMI, Inc. The resulting changes included dropping zone fare charges for a uniform boarding fare regardless of the distance travelled, either removing or reducing service from low patronized areas in favor of improving service during mid-days, and weekends. Passengers experienced these changes during a time when it normally is not adjusted, due to the scope of the changes made.
Employee unions of the NFTA
The NFTA recognizes and negotiates with a number of unions representing various employees of the NFTA. As of 2008, there are 13 different unions that negotiate contracts with the NFTA.The largest union, the Amalgamated Transit Union
Amalgamated Transit Union
The Amalgamated Transit Union is a labor union in the United States and The Amalgamated Transit Union Canadian Council in Canada, representing workers in the transit system and other industries...
represents the drivers of the NFTA Metro division. Their branch is known as Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1342.
Another union, the International Longshoremen's Association
International Longshoremen's Association
The International Longshoremen's Association is a labor union representing longshore workers along the East Coast of the United States and Canada, the Gulf Coast, the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and inland waterways...
represents service and maintenance workers at the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport, Port of Buffalo, Metropolitan Transportation Center, Operations Center in Buffalo, Facilities Maintenance Center, Buffalo Transportation Center and the Niagara Falls Transportation Center. Their branch is known as the International Longshoremen's Association, Local 1949.
The members of the NFTA Police force are represented by the NFTA Police Benevolent Association.
See also
- Citizens Regional Transit CorporationCitizens Regional Transit CorporationThe Citizens Regional Transportation Corporation is a grass-roots organization promoting the implementation and expansions of light-rail service for the City of Buffalo and the surrounding Buffalo/Niagara region in New York State.- Overview :...
- Buffalo Metro RailBuffalo Metro RailThe NFTA has a fleet of 26 rigid-bodied LRVs for the Metro Rail system, numbered sequentially from 101 to 127. They were built by Tokyu Car Corporation of Japan. One car was damaged in transit and later purchased by a restaurateur, Bertrand H. Hoak, of Hamburg, as an addition to Hoak's Armor Inn...
- New York State