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As it begins the mandated environmental impact statement (EIS) process - a very early and extremely preliminary development step towards a possible expansion of the Metro Rail system into Amherst, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority wants to hear from the public.
The first of several public comment sessions related to the oft-discussed Metro Rail expansion is set for Dec. 6 at Sweet Home Middle School, 4150 Maple Road, Amherst. The session will run from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Expanding the Metro Rail has been repeatedly discussed since the system opened more than 30 years ago. It gained new momentum when Gov, Andrew Cuomo, in January 2017, set aside $5 million in the Buffalo Billion II economic development initiative to revive the study and lay the groundwork for a possible Metro Rail expansion from the University at Buffalo South Campus on Main Street to UB’s North Campus in Amherst.
The proposed 6.4-mile expansion, which would snake through various Amherst neighborhoods, has a projected and preliminary development cost of $1.2 billion, with much of the funding relying on federal dollars.
Supporters say expanding the Metro Rail could be a major economic development driver in Amherst and its impact could be felt in Buffalo, as well.
“For more than 30 years, our community has considered increasing the reach of Metro Rail,” said Kimberley Minkel, NFTA executive director. “With new growth in the region, this may be the perfect time to expand our most efficient, environmentally friendly form of mass transportation.”
On display will be renderings of various Metro Rail stops and possible routing design and ideas. None are considered cast in stone.
The Dec. 6 public meeting will be incorporated into the environmental impact statement the NFTA must submit if the Metro Rail expansion project moves forward.
When the studies are done and results come back, they will show Buffalo doesn't have the ridership and population to support expansion thus no Federal funds will be granted, same goes with the new football stadium study. Buffalo's market can't support a new NFL Stadium which includes selling the 100's of luxury suites and ticket prices double & triple with NFL stadiums, just like the last studies showed with Pegula's study and Ralph Wilson's study, Ralph Wilson said it the best, " we all know it, Buffalo's Poor"
Well, this list of light rail ridership is interesting and Buffalo's is 30th in annual ridership in North America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s_by_ridership
So, there are more people taking rail in the area that some may realize and if it gets extended, it is likely to increase.
As for the stadium, that is another issue, but you can "regionalize" the stadium issue in terms of population radius within proximity to the stadium/area, as attendance can and does include people from outside of the Buffalo metro area. So, that is something else to consider as well.
Well, this list of light rail ridership is interesting and Buffalo's is 30th in annual ridership in North America: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_o...s_by_ridership
So, there are more people taking rail in the area that some may realize and if it gets extended, it is likely to increase.
As for the stadium, that is another issue, but you can "regionalize" the stadium issue in terms of population radius within proximity to the stadium/area, as attendance can and does include people from outside of the Buffalo metro area. So, that is something else to consider as well.
I used it when it opened and not since. I would have had to take a bus or my car to park and take it downtown where I never went. I am not optimistic about the expansion, maybe if the downtown stadium comes to fruition, that will be a catalyst. Its been 34 years since it opened with no expansion and now costs have skyrocketed and the population has decreased. Maybe Higgins can get the money. For Buffalo's sake, I hope it happens.
I don't like the proposed routing of the extension. I think it meanders too much. That will slow the route down and people trying to get places in a hurry will become frustrated. Look at the maps of other light rail transit systems and see if there are any others with a total of 12 different turns. Even a bus route turning that many times can be frustrating to ride on.
NFTA secures fed funding for extended rail study impact
While some preliminary studies are underway focusing on a possible Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Metro Rail expansion into Amherst, the agency has received a federal allocation to study any potential economic impact that may be created.
The Federal Transit Administration allocated $777,943 through its Transit-Oriented Development Pilot Planning Program to the NFTA for the suburban route study.
The NFTA, the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council, and the towns of Amherst and Tonawanda will handle the study, which may include some public input sessions.
Officials say expanding the Metro Rail to Amherst, including the University at Buffalo campus, could see property values increase by more than $310 million.
Construction on the Metro Rail expansion, if approved, won’t begin for at least five years.
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