Groups want NYS to pump money into NFTA

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - Wednesday, local community groups will be joining forces, calling on Albany to pump more money into local public transit. This, as Metro riders face fare hikes or route cuts.

The NFTA is looking at a projected $15 million budget deficit, and are looking to cut routes to make up for loses, but at several meetings, riders have said they'd rather pay more for a bus fare than have less routes.

At a meeting held Tuesday in the city of Niagara Falls, bus riders expressed their feelings on the potential route cuts. 

  >>  There are two meetings Wednesday on the possible NFTA cuts

An NFTA rider said, “So if you take away that bus, I can't make it to my doctors appointments.”

Along with routes, other services, like the Paratransit, could be affected as well.

An NFTA bus rider said, “I'm here to speak on behalf of the disabled community. I think that raising fares would be much better alternative and not to cut the routes.”

With these proposed cuts, many are now calling on Albany to help cut the deficit.

Concerned Citizen Ron Angelo said, “We need to lobby Albany, all of us, to get more money from Albany. they bailed out New York City, there's no reason why they can't split up that money all over New York State.”

Wednesday's meeting will be held at noon at the Buffalo Erie County Library.