ATTENTION AUDUBON RESIDENTS, WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK!!!
Audubon Resident’s Opinion about NFTA Service Extension Options
Time sensitive: Please return by October 4th to be counted.
The NFTA is looking at options for extending transportation services to Tonawanda/Amherst. We are asking Audubon HOA members to rank order your preferences (1, 2 & 3) for the three options being considered with #1 being your favorite.
Please reply with your name and address through this form.
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Option A. Do Nothing: No extension of the current MetroRail line. Consider using some project funds to
expand standard bus services to Amherst Town Center (Police/Court/Library/Senior Center), into the Audubon
Community, and out to other Amherst/Tonawanda areas currently unserved by NFTA.
Option A is lowest cost. It eliminates the projected negative noise and vibration impacts for Audubon residents from the proposed MetroRail extension. Option A could immediately increase access to NFTA network throughout our community, which is currently only reached at open bus stops on Millersport Highway.
Options B & C both share the following characteristics: Build a new dedicated rapid transit system from UB South Campus, up Niagara Falls Blvd, across Maple Road, through UB North campus and up JJ Audubon Parkway to a Park & Ride Lot north of I-990. The northbound Audubon lanes along Walton Woods are the right-of-way, with train/bus service running from about 6am to 11pm, seven days per week. Beyond UB North Campus there will be two Stations: one at Amherst Town Center and one North of I-990 to include a Storage & Maintenance facility. To access train/bus Audubon residents must walk/drive to I-990 Station to Town Center Station on Audubon Parkway.
Option B. Extend MetroRail Train Tracks: As NFTA proposed in 2020, extend the Light Rail train tracks
from UB South through UB North and up JJ Audubon Parkway along Walton Woods to I-990 Park & Ride.
Option B is highest cost involving two tunnels, rail bed and traffic controls, and longest timeframe (8 – 10 years). Main benefits are large capacity trains and Metro riders could travel all the way from I-990 Park-and-Ride station to Downtown without transferring between train and surface bus. The main negatives noted in NFTA’s 2020 study is that the passing trains -- under IDEAL operating conditions – will generate moderate to severe noise and moderate to severe vibration in the Walton Woods neighborhood, every six minutes (first north then south on 12 minute routes) during the hours of operation (6am to 11pm, 7 days/week). Noise and vibration impacts will likely increase as trains/tracks wear into less-than-IDEAL operating conditions.
Option C. Create Rapid Bus Dedicated Lane: The DOT returned the NFTA’s 2020 Option B only proposal,
suggesting NFTA also consider Bus Rapid Transit as Option C. The Rapid Bus would extend service by building a
dedicated surface lane and traffic control for following the same path proposed for the MetroRail trains.
Option C is a middle cost. It still requires creating the dedicated paved lane and traffic controls, but eliminates tunnels and fixed rail tracks. Option C will require less time (4 – 5 years) and offer more flexibility in capacity and shorter wait time between vehicles. It will reduce the negative impacts from noise and vibration on surrounding neighborhoods including Walton Woods. It will still require transfer between train and bus at South Campus.
Additional details on Options B and C will be in an upcoming report addressing costs, benefits and impacts, followed by a Public Hearing to solicit further public comment. Please monitor Audubon HOA’s website for updates or go to NFTA’s Metro Extension Project website:
https://www.nftametrotransitexpansion.com. You can also email comments directly to
transitexpansion@nfta.com. Direct comments must be submitted by October 14th at 4pm.
Thank you for taking the time to provide this critical feedback. Audubon Board of Directors.
