Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority
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| Slogan | Serving Buffalo Niagara |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1967 |
| Headquarters | Buffalo, NY |
| Service area | Erie & Niagara Counties, New York |
| Service type | Public Transit |
| Fleet | Bus, Light Rail |
| Operator | NFTA Metro Bus and Rail |
| Web site | Official Website |
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 1960's and early 1970's, 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 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
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[edit] 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.
[edit] Bus Fleet
Current Fleet (All buses are Wheelchair-accessible 
)
- 1993 New Flyer Industries D40HF (9301-9375; to be retired in 2006-07)
- 1995 NABI (American Ikarus) 416 (9501-9567); to be retired
- 1996 NovaBus Classic TC40-102A (9601-9641); to be retired
- 1999 NovaBus LFS TL-40102 (2001-2021)
- 2001-2002 & 2005 Gillig LF Advantage T-40 (2101-2141,2201-2242 & 2501-2515)
- 2004 Gillig LF Advantage T-29 (2401-2422)
- 2006 Gillig LF Advantage Diesel-electric Hybrid T-40 (2601-2630)
- 2007 Gillig LF Advantage Diesel-electric Hybrid T-40 (2701-2713)
Other Vehicles
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.
Retired Fleet
- 1954 GMC Buses TDH 5106 (601-6**)
- 1962 Mack (6301-63**)
- 1964 GMC Buses TDH 5303 (7401-74**)
- 1966-1969 GMC Buses TDH 5304 (7501-7799 {7754 used for exhibition only})
- 1967 GMC Buses TDH 4503 (526-540/311-319)
- 1970 Twin Coach (3001-3005)
- 1975-76 AM General Metropolitan Bus (4001-4099)
- 1975 Flxible 111CC-D5-1 (ex-RGRTA Rochester) (301-305)
- 1976 GMC Buses S8H 5304A (3051-3063)
- 1979 GMC Buses RTS 03 (5001-5065)
- 1980 GMC Buses RTS 03 (5066-5078)
- 1983 GMC Buses RTS 04 (6001-6110)
- 1977 GMC Buses RTS 01 (ex-DART Dallas) (321-367)
- 1985-90 Orion Bus Industries Orion 01.051 (601-607;701-773;801-816;851-852;861-867;901-912;921-925)
Several of these Orion I (particularily 700-series) buses have been purchased by RGRTA Rochester. Additionally, four 1986 Orion Bus Industries 01.501 buses were purchased by the Broome County Transit of Binghamton, New York (numbered 720, 729, 741, 757)
- 1991 Orion Bus Industries Orion 05.501(201-222)
- 1992 Motor Coach Industries Classic TC40-102A (401-417)
- 1993 Orion Bus Industries Orion 05.501 CNG (501-505)
Bus Locations
- 9301-9375 Split between Kenmore/Military and Babcock/William
- 9501-9527 Babcock/William
- 9528-9567 Kenmore/Military
- 9601-9641 Main/Michigan
- 2001-2021 Main/Michigan
- 2101-2120 Main/Michigan (Old Style Gillig Advantage)
- 2121-2141 Babcock/William (New style Gillig Advantage)
- 2201-2242 Kenmore/Military
- 2401-2406 Main/Michigan
- 2407-2416 Kenmore/Military
- 2417-2422 Babcock/William
- 2501-2515 Babcock/William
- 2601-2615 Main/Michigan
- 2616-2630 Babcock/William
- 2701-2713 Kenmore/Military
(All bus routes run out of Kenmore/Military on weekends.)
[edit] Bus Routes
Many of the core routes in the City of Buffalo operate almost along the same alignment of the previous International Railway Company's streetcar lines. Some adjustments in routing were made in Downtown Buffalo for better connections between routes, but nothing deemed major.
Although not exact, most of 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 Metrolink routes
[edit] Current Routes
for descriptions, see NFTA Metro Bus Routes
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[edit] Past/Previous Routes
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[edit] 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. Additonally, 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 Central Business District with the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Holtz Road/Airport Park-and-Ride lot.
- Routes 206, 207 and 208 operate as neighborhood 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 209 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.
[edit] Other
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- - "#" Denotes unused signage since closure of depot.
[edit] Fares/Payments
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority operates on an "exact fare" system, in which payment is due in full at time of boarding, and drivers/operators do not make change.
Fares vary, using a zone-fare boundary, in which passengers pay a premium, once they cross each boundary. There are only four zones in the Metro system.
Fares can currently be paid upon boarding, using cash (dollar bills and coins), tokens, day passes, or monthly fare media.
The current fees charged are:
| Passenger | 1 zone | 2 zone | 3 zone | 4 zone (all) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adult | 1.50 | 1.75 | 2.00 | 2.25 |
| Reduced
Elderly, Disabled, Child |
0.65 | 0.75 | 0.85 | 0.95 |
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 available for $6.00.
Tokens are available at a discounted rate for $1.35 each when you purchase 10.
Source-NFTA Website
[edit] Properties (Stations/Garages/Barns)
[edit] 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)
[edit] 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
[edit] 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
[edit] 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).
[edit] Metro Rail Stations
[edit] 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.
[edit] 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, surrounder by Main on south, Parker on west, and Amherst north.
These stations use surrounding streets as boarding areas for buses.
[edit] Active Loops
- Andrews Loop northwest corner of Genesee St and Andrews, Buffalo
- 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
[edit] Inactive Loops
- Blanche Loop southwest corner of Elmwood at Kenmore, Buffalo/Kenmore border
- Coburg Loop southeast corner of Kenmore at Coburg St., Buffalo
- 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
- Irwin Loop at corner of Niagara Falls Boulevard and Irwin
- Jefferson Loop at corner of Main St. and Jefferson, Buffalo
- Pacific Loop on Hertel, east of Pacific St, Buffalo
- Pine Hill Loop on Genesee near Pine Ridge Road, Buffalo
- 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
- Sidenote: 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.
[edit] Metro Rail (light rail rapid transit)
[edit] Light Rail
Buffalo's street railway began operations in 1832 with horse car routes on Pearl Street and Terrace (to Canada Ferry terminal). In 1860, the Buffalo Street Railway Company was established. Electric street cars 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 for the merger of the Buffalo's first street railway operator and Buffalo Street Railway Company. The trolley service end in 1950 and would not resume until the LRRT began construction in 1979, and opened on May 1, 1986.
The current 6.1 mile 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, lies just south of the current Erie Canal Harbor Station allowing passengers a closer distance to the HSBC Arena. This particular station serves the Special Events Station for events at the HSBC Arena.
[edit] Future Plans for the Metro Rail
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.
The 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.
The proposed Tonawanda Corridor line follows the old Erie RR right-of-way (ROW) from LaSalle Station through to Tonawanda. This line has a number of branches operating through North Buffalo to Elmwood, up to Niagara Falls and to the North Campus of the University at Buffalo (over the Youngmann Highway), 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.
The NFTA operates over fifty local, express and shuttle bus routes with a 6.1 mile LRRT (light rail rapid transit) system named Metro Rail. The entire system carries over 23,000 riders daily.
The Operations Control Center at Oak and Eagle Streets control both the bus and rail fleet.
The light rail cars are stored at the former Delaware, Lackawanna, and Western Railroad station in the lower Main Street in Downtown Buffalo. This terminal is referred to as the South Park Station because of its location at Main & South Park.
[edit] 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
- Width: 8 feet 6.5 inches
- Weight: 35.5 tons
- Normal capacity: 140 (including 51 seated)
- Control: 4 chopper controlled Westinghouse motors
- Track gauge: 4.7 feet
[edit] Corporate Identity
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.
Just before the beginning of the year 2000, 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 1970's 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 1990's 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.
[edit] 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 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.
Source: 1 Images of America, Buffalo's Historic Streetcars and Buses, D. David Bregger, 2008
