Transit OptionsAmherst – Buffalo

Agenda • Overview of Transit Options

• Setting the stage

• Why now

• Why Amherst – Buffalo

• Possibilities

• What’s next

What is Transit Options?Federal Transit Administration’s Alternatives Analysis that:

– Evaluates transportation mode

– Alignment options– Public outreach that includes:

• Benefits, cost and impacts of transportation options

– Results in a locally preferred transit improvement project

What will it provide?

• More transportation options • Enhance economic competitiveness • Support existing communities and

neighborhoods• Coordinate policies and leverage investment• Value communities and neighborhoods

What are we doing here tonight?

• Getting your input– Identifying transit options– Identifying opportunities, problems and

needs

Transit Evolution in WNY

• Light Rail History

• 2001 Strategic Transit Assessment

• 2010 TMD – Strategic Assessment

• 2013 Amherst-Buffalo Transit Options

Light Rail History• First alternatives analysis started in 1975 • Construction started in 1978• Metro Rail opened in 1985 – 6.4 miles at a total cost

of $535M• 1992 NFTA deferred any further action to advance

rail extension until a strong local commitment is in place

Strategic Transit Assessment

• Completed in 2001 by Parsons Brinkerhoff

• Four planned corridors in the NFTA’s 1972 rail system plan• Amherst

• Airport

• Southtowns

• Tonawanda

TMD 2010 -Strategic Assessment• Identified Amherst-Buffalo Corridor as good

candidates for “major transit investment” based on– Service effectiveness (productivity)– Market intensity (population and

employment forecast)– Development opportunities– Travel Patterns– Existing Ridership

• Enhanced busing, Bus Rapid Transit, or Light Rail Extension

Why now? Implementing regional economic development plans:

•WNY Regional Economic Development Council•Buffalo Billion•UB 2020•WNY Sustainability Plan•One Region Forward/Framework for Regional Growth•Buffalo Niagara 2050

Why now?

$3 billion in development projects are underway

Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

UB Medical School

Harbor Center

UB 2020 • Connecting the UB physical development plan and

spurring transit oriented development along the way

Why the Amherst Buffalo Corridor?

• Region’s highest transit ridership ( >30,000 weekday NFTA)

• Largest concentrations of:– Employment

– Population

– University/college enrollment

How are we going to do it?

• Review prior studies

• Define purpose, need and opportunities

• Look at existing conditions

• Identify alternatives

• Evaluate alternatives in detail

Possibilities?

• New or enhanced bus routes

• Bus rapid transit

• Light rail expansion

• Other?

Possibilities?• I-290/990• Bailey Avenue• Eggert Road • Grover Cleveland -

Millersport Highway• Main Street

• Maple Road • Niagara Falls

Boulevard• Sheridan Drive • Sweet Home Road

• Spring 2014 – review short list of alternatives

• Fall 2014 – alternatives evaluation results

• Summer 2015 – present final recommendations

What’s next?