7 replies to this topic

[Sloan]

But expansion plans have been deferred or rejected in the 28 years since. And even with the current evaluation taking place, officials caution that any additional rail or BRT service is still at least seven years away.

They sure like to dither up in Buffalo. What is their problem? The LRT stimulated over $1.5 billion in real estate development. Sheesh. C'mon, people, get with the program.

Sloan

http://www.railwayag...html?channel=61

[CNJRoss]

Progressive Railroading,12/6/18:

 

Buffalo agency seeks public input on planned rail extension

 

 

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is holding a public meeting today in Amherst, New York, to discuss its planned rail expansion project.

SNIP

Building on previous studies — including NFTA's alternative analysis and transit-oriented development studies — the agency now is focusing on ways to extend Metro Rail beyond University Station.

 

More here.

 

NFTA  Metro Rail Expansion Project

[KevinKorell]

Buffalo, NY News, 5/3/20:

 

Costs, competition could mean rapid buses instead of Metro Rail extension to UB  

 

 

 

The region's half-century-old vision of a light rail system extending from downtown to the University at Buffalo's North Campus may be facing a setback.

 

Update

[CNJRoss]

RT&S 5/8/20

 

Setback for advancement of Buffalo light-rail extension

 

 

The Federal Transit Administration has requested that the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) include looking at the option of bus rapid transit along with extending the Buffalo Metro Light Rail as part of the planning and environmental review process. This could delay advancement of the project by three to six months.

 

The NFTA also needs to review existing annual local, state and federal financial funding levels. This is to ensure they will have sufficient capital resources over the next 20 years to ensure that the existing NFTA bus, paratransit and rail fleets have vehicles, maintenance facilities, stations, track, power, escalators, elevators, communications, fare collection, bus shelters and other equipment in a state of good repair. This is necessary so riders can count on the safe and reliable service they depend on before embarking on either extending Metro Light Rail to Amherst or bus rapid transit on the same corridor. The NFTA should make public their Five Year and Twenty Year Capital Needs Assessment planning documents. This would confirm that they can maintain a state of good repair for Metro Bus, paratransit and light rail along with system expansion.

 

Continue here.

[KevinKorell]

Next City, 11/3/21:

 

    Buffalo Transit Advocates Fight Feds Over Light Rail Expansion  

 

 

The city of Buffalo has the second-oldest of the country’s modern light rail transit lines: the NFTA Metro, a single light metro line opened in 1984 that oddly runs on the surface downtown and in a subway tunnel in the outlying neighborhoods.

 

Read

[KevinKorell]

WKBW-TV, 7-ABC in Buffalo, NY,  9/19/23:

 

 

     "I want to go everywhere in Buffalo": Varied opinions on proposed light rail expansion 

 

 

You can park your car and ride the light rail for just $2 to get from North Buffalo to Downtown Buffalo. A cheaper way to get from point A to point B.

 

Full story

[KevinKorell]

WGRZ-TV, Channel 2 in Buffalo, NY, 1/30/24:
 

 

  Planned metro line expansion project still draws opposition     

 

 

The NFTA and the Federal Transit Administration are wrapping up their current round of public comment sessions on a planned Metro Rail extension... to the U-B North Campus in Amherst. 

 

Story

[KevinKorell]

WBEN Radio, Buffalo, NY, 5/16/24:

 

 

  UB architect students propose new Buffalo light rail transit projects    

 

 

Several new ideas for light rail expansion in Buffalo were presented to the Buffalo community Wednesday evening.

 

Full story