Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is the public agency responsible for operating most public transportation services in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. It manages a variety of transportation options, including buses and rail services, to help people travel around the area easily.

In 2025, the NFTA's system had a ridership of 16,262,500, meaning about 72,800 people used it each weekday by the end of that year. The NFTA also oversees important places such as the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport, making sure these locations run smoothly for travelers.

The NFTA employs around 1,500 full-time and part-time workers and manages many properties, including the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center in Downtown Buffalo, which serves as its headquarters. Some of the bus stops have been in use since the time of the International Railway Company, an earlier company that helped start the NFTA.

History

See also: International Railway (New York-Ontario)

The first bus services in Buffalo started in 1923 by a private company called the International Bus Company. Before this, the International Railway Company managed many streetcar routes in Erie and Niagara counties. In 1947, a new plan gave control of these routes to the Niagara Frontier Rapid Transit Commission after the company could no longer continue. This led to the start of the Niagara Frontier Transit System in 1950.

Later, in 1967, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) was created. This was part of New York State’s effort to support public transportation in major cities. The NFTA took over many local transit services starting in 1974, moving its offices to the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center in 1977. Other areas with similar agencies include the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, and the Capital District Transportation Authority.

Governing body and executive director

The NFTA is managed by a group of 12 commissioners. They watch over the work of the authority and help make big decisions. The executive director tells the commissioners about everything that is happening.

The commissioners are chosen by important leaders, like the Governor of the State of New York and the Erie County Executive. Most of them serve for five years, but sometimes someone new joins before that time is up.

NFTA Airports Division

See also: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport

The NFTA looks after two big airports: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport. These airports help people travel by plane in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls area. The NFTA makes sure these airports run smoothly for everyone who uses them.

NFTA Metro Division

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Metro system helps people travel around Erie and Niagara counties. It serves cities like Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Tonawanda, and North Tonawanda. The system includes buses, light rail, and special services to make getting around easier.

The NFTA has about 310 buses, 27 light rail cars, and other vehicles to help people move through the area. Buses come from different makers and use various fuels, including diesel and natural gas. The system has many routes, each with its own number and schedule, making it simple for passengers to find the right bus or train. There are also special services for events and schools, plus plans to improve routes and add new stops to better serve the community.

NFTA Properties Division (stations/garages/barns)

The NFTA Properties Division manages the buildings and places where buses and other vehicles are kept and worked on. This includes places where buses stop, big centers in the city, and offices for the NFTA.

All buses are kept at three main places:

• Cold Spring Terminal (Main Street and Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208)
• Frontier Terminal (Kenmore Avenue and Military Road, Kenmore, NY 14217)
• Gisel/Wolford Terminal (Babcock and William Streets, Buffalo, NY 14206)
• South Park Terminal (South Park Avenue and Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203)

There are also important centers where many buses go, such as:

• Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center (MTC): 181 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
• Portage Road Transit Center (PRTC): 1124 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
• Niagara Falls Transportation Center (NFTC): 2250 Factory Outlet Boulevard, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

There are also smaller places in the suburbs where people can wait for buses and get information.

Stations with bus loops

• Utica, 1391 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
• Delavan/Canisius College (formerly Delavan-College), 1863 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
• LaSalle, 3030 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
• University (formerly South Campus), 3383 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214

Stations without bus loops

• Erie Canal Harbor (formerly Auditorium), 100 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Merchants Insurance @ Seneca (formerly Seneca), 200 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Church, 300 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Evans Bank @ Lafayette Square (formerly Lafayette Square), 400 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Fountain Plaza (formerly Huron), 500 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Allen-Medical Campus (formerly Allen-Hospital), 941 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Summer-Best, 1147 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
• Humboldt-Hospital, 2040 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
• Amherst Street, 2666 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214

Active bus loops

• Andrews Loop northwest corner of Genesee Street and Andrews Avenue, Buffalo/Cheektowaga border
• Bailey/Abbott Loop northeast corner of Bailey Avenue and Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
• Black Rock/Riverside Loop southeast corner of Niagara Street and Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY 14207 (opening December 6, 2015)
• Wildwood Loop Seneca Street at Wildwood Place, Buffalo, NY 14210
• Ellicott Loop bounded by North Division, South Division, Ellicott and Oak Streets, Buffalo, NY 14203
• Fernwood Loop Clinton Street and Rossler Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14206
• Goethe Loop southeast corner of East Lovejoy Street and Goethe Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
• Huntley Loop Kensington Avenue near Huntley Avenue, Buffalo/Cheektowaga border
• Jersey Left on exit from Main Street at Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214
• Michael Loop southeast corner of Broadway and Michael Avenue, Sloan, NY 14212
• Orchard Loop southeast corner of Delaware Avenue and Orchard Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14217
• Paramount Loop Colvin Boulevard and Paramount Parkway, Tonawanda, NY 14223
• Vulcan (Baxter) Loop northeast corner of Vulcan Street and Baxter Street, Buffalo, NY 14207

Union representation in the NFTA organization

The NFTA works with many groups of workers called unions. As of 2008, there were 13 unions that helped make rules for NFTA employees. The biggest union is the Amalgamated Transit Union, and it helps the bus and train drivers. Another union, the International Longshoremen's Association, helps workers at airports and other places like the Port of Buffalo. The NFTA Police Benevolent Association represents the police officers who work for the NFTA.