To many Buffalonians, riding the bus is seen as a last resort. Locals often gripe how we have iterrible public transportation,i ithe bus doesnit go anywhere,i and iit doesnit go where itis needed to go.i
We have Metro Rail, but, being in incomplete system, it serves only a miniscule percentage of the regionis transportation needs. The busses run, but they are slow, smelly, and their routes derive from the defunct, antiquated streetcar lines that no longer define modern-day commuting patterns. It does not have to always be this way. In other cities people ride buses and don’t make a class issue out of it.
Here is a novel idea: How about a bus that goes where people want to go? How does a link between Buffalois most attractive cultural and neighborhood assets sound?
The good news is this would not be very difficult or costly to implement.
Imagine a limited-stop express bus (only stops at key intersections) that connects University Heights, Hertel Ave., Delaware Park, the Elmwood Village, Allentown, and Downtown?
Think of all the college and university students who donit have cars. I hear way too many stories of car-less UB students living in University Heights who never get out to other parts of the city. This helps shape their poor perception of Buffalo. Many BuffState students are either trapped on campus or boxed into their little corner of the Elmwood/Forest area. Also, many lot of UB students live in the Elmwood area and Allentown. I bet many of them would appreciate a car-free option of getting to campus quickly.
Students (who would be given a pass to ride this for free or discounted rates) wouldnit be the only benefactors. This line could marketed to visitors. Many of the cityis best attractions would be along this run. And donit forget other city residents without cars. As gas prices steadily rise, maybe even some car owners may decide to leave it parked at home more often.
This route could even be called iThe Green Linei and run on diesel-electric hybrid or natural gas technology. Donit forget bike racks. And a wacky green paint job.
The NFTA definitely owes this to the city and college student population. They collect mandatory fees from UB and BuffState students that, in exchange, permits free usage of the system. The problem is that current bus and rail routes donit suit student transportation needs in the most efficient manner.
The iGreen Linei would certainly work well following a route that looks like this:
-UB South Campus (start of line, follows Main St.)
-Winspear
-Lasalle
-Parker (now running along Hertel)
-Starin
-Parkside
-Colvin (makes left on Colvin)
-Delaware Park (corner of Colvin and Amherst, makes right turn on Amherst)
-Delaware Ave. (continues to Elmwood, makes left on Elmwood)
-Elmwood/Amherst
-Buffalo State College
-Forest
-Bidwell
-Auburn
-West Utica
-Bryant
-Summer
-Allen
-West Tupper
-Chippewa (left on Chippewa, then right on Delaware)
-Niagara Sq.
-Main St. (transfer to rail)
-ECC City
Just think about it. This route would serve two main purposes: A high-speed link between the cityis most successful commercial districts and, an Elmwood-Downtown Express for West Side residents who work downtown. Think of the development potential this could spur.
We can do it. This one is a no-brainer. The iGreen Linei could bring on a sea change that forever alters the perception of Buffalois mass transit.