NFTA passes bus route fare hike

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - How will the NFTA close a $15 million budget gap? It's a question bus riders are very concerned about.

After months of hearing from riders, it appears the NFTA is ready to raise fares by a quarter instead of cutting dozens of bus runs.

NFTA board chairman Henry Sloma said, "The public needs to know we are committed to this."

The NFTA Board of Commissioners voted overwhelmingly on a revised plan. Instead of the previous plan to eliminate dozens of bus routes, the NFTA now proposes raising fares by a quarter, from $1.75 to $2 each way to trim the current deficit.

Lynnn Magdol of Citizens for Regional Transit said, "It appears to me that they really listened to the outcry from the public on some of the specific bus routes I'm familiar with as a bus rider."

John Ingram of Citizens of Lackawanna Future said, "Anything is better than eliminating the bus routes, especially in Lackawanna."

But even with the rate hike, a few bus runs would still be eliminated, like ones to Lockport and North Tonawanda.

"Ridership in Niagara County is very, very low. I'm going to be meeting with them directly to talk about how to provide service. Why aren't they riding?" said Sloma.

The monthly pass would still cost $75, but this new proposal would create a weekly pass for $25. The board is also planning to hire a lobbyist to better compete with Rochester and Albany for state funding.

In other action, NFTA is beginning to get out of the boating business. Commissioners agreed to enter into negotiations for Bear Development to buy the Small Boat Harbor for $3 million. Bear is the same company that created the new Greenway along Fuhrmann Boulevard, and the deal would require Bear to invest $15 million in improvements for the rights to operate the Small Boat Harbor next year.

NFTA executive director Kim Minkel said, "We're not in the position to operate the property so I think we're staying focused on our core mission."

The 25-cent bus fare hike would go into effect May 1st, but will still be subject to two public hearings in March. You can see the exact proposal here.