FAQs

Frequently asked questions relating to the Bailey Avenue BRT project. 

  • What is Bus Rapid Transit or BRT?

    Bus rapid transit (BRT) is a high-capacity and more frequent type of bus service with transit-priority elements and customer amenities. BRT systems can include a mix of features which help the bus travel faster or just make the trip more comfortable than typical local service. Depending on the extent of the features and amenities, BRT is often compared to light rail or other high-capacity and high-frequency transit systems.

  • What special elements or features will be included in the Bailey Avenue BRT?

    While the final planning and design is still underway, based on the Bailey Ave. Corridor Improvements Feasibility Study, NFTA is anticipating:o Dedicated bus lanes, queue-jump lanes, and special traffic signals that reduce the wait time for buses at red lights (transit signal priority).o Improved bus stations with larger shelters that may include heating, extra seating, and other customer amenities.o More frequent service and fewer stop locations than local service, that will reduce overall travel times in the corridor.o New low-emission buses.

  • How is BRT different from the local NFTA-Metro bus service?

    BRT buses, with features listed above, will be branded to differentiate them from local NFTA-Metro bus service which will continue unchanged on many existing bus routes. 

  • Where will the new BRT buses stop?

    The prior feasibility study recommended BRT stops at the following intersections along the current Route 19 (Bailey Avenue corridor), from north to south:• University Station• Veteran’s Hospital/Coal Road• Minnesota Avenue• Kensington Avenue• Langfield Drive/Connelly Avenue• East Delevan Avenue• Genesee Street• Walden Avenue• Broadway• William Street• Clinton Street• Seneca Street• South Park Avenue
    The current project will further evaluate these locations, gather public feedback, and then finalize the list before beginning design.

  • Why Bailey Avenue?

    Bailey Avenue is an important transit corridor with some of the highest ridership numbers in the region. Carrying more than 2,600 riders per weekday (2023), the north end of the corridor provides access to University Station, connecting to Metro Rail and thirteen other fixed route bus services. The prior study, Bailey Avenue Corridor Improvements Study (2021) by the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council (GBNRTC) provides more information about what makes Bailey Avenue an ideal location for BRT.

  • How is this project funded?

    Buffalo has received $102,000,000 in federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Neighborhood Access and Equity Program, under the Reconnecting Communities and Neighborhood (RCN) opportunity, to improve Bailey Avenue and expand transportation on Buffalo’s East Side. Details about this award are listed in this press release from NFTA. Additionally, project development will be funded with $3,000,000 from New York State, $650,000 from the Federal Government’s Areas of Persistent Poverty Grant. Additionally, $1,000,000 in planning grant funds have been awarded to guide Transit Oriented Development in relationship to future BRT. 

  • How is Bailey Ave BRT different from the City of Buffalo Project, “Build Back Bailey”?

    “Build Back Bailey” is a project administered by the City of Buffalo to develop general improvements along the Bailey Avenue corridor in two segments: Phase 1 from Winspear Avenue to Kensington Avenue and Phase 2 from Kensington Avenue to Delavan Avenue. The project is focused on roadway and streetscape improvements but will also provide upgrades to water, sewer, electric, and utility systems underground as well as lighting, trees, and green infrastructure outside of the roadway.
    Phase 1 of the City’s project is in design development and NFTA is working with them to determine where BRT elements can be integrated. The same objectives for streetscape and roadway improvements will be carried through the rest of the corridor (north of Winspear Avenue to Main Street / University Station and south of Delavan Avenue to South Park Avenue). 
    While Build Back Bailey and Bailey Ave BRT are technically two separate projects, NFTA and the City of Buffalo are committed to collaborating to get the best results for all residents, businesses, and commuters in the corridor.

  • What other benefits will the community get from this project?

    Beyond the new BRT service, NFTA has secured funding for other infrastructure improvements along the corridor, including reconstruction or repairs to the roadway, curbs, sidewalks, and pedestrian ramps at intersections. There are also funds for other streetscaping improvements at key points along the corridor, such as street lighting, landscaping and street trees, and other enhancements to the public realm. The goals of the project are to improve not only the transit service in the corridor, but to address some of physical infrastructure needs in the corridor which will benefit all those who live, work, or visit communities along Baliey Ave.
    Additionally, NFTA will be conducting a study of the potential development opportunities that could come with the new BRT service. This Transit Oriented Development (TOD) study will be started later in 2024.

  • What is the Community Connectors Program?

    Smart Growth America, with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and in collaboration with Equitable Cities, the New Urban Mobility Alliance, and America Walks have created the Community Connectors program to fund locally driven projects that work to reconnect communities separated or harmed by transportation infrastructure. Awarded $130,000, the East Buffalo Development Corporation will be working to expand community relationships and build trust, prepare community networks for coming engagement opportunities, and work with the community during planning and construction. Meaningful collaboration with the Buffalo community is very important to NFTA, and these organizations will work with us to make it a priority.

  • What is a Mobility Hub?

    This project provides an exciting opportunity to build mobility hubs on the Bailey Avenue corridor. Mobility hubs are places where various modes of transportation are strategically located to provide the community with different travel options and ways to make connections between modes. They can include a bus stop with multiple connecting routes, a car-share parking space, bike-share docks and/or bike storage, and other new micro-mobility options. Mobility hubs can also create neighborhood centers by incorporating landscaping or public space amenities like shade structures, trees, seating, or public art.

  • When will construction in the corridor start? When will the new bus service start?

    Construction in the corridor will begin with the City of Buffalo’s work from Windspear Avenue to Kensington Avenue, which could begin in 2025. The remaining work in the corridor will be led by NFTA and that is just getting started. Preliminary design and environmental reviews are scheduled to be complete in 2026, with construction occurring in phases in 2026 and 2027. Service is currently expected to begin in 2028. 

  • How do I ask questions about the project?

    Public outreach with an eye toward equity and inclusion will be an essential part of this project’s development. The project team will facilitate several public meetings, table at community events, and meet with community organizations to incorporate feedback from local stakeholders. In addition, there will be online surveys and an active project website to deliver information to the public. Your voice and experience are a crucial part of this project. We want to hear from you!

  • The community has already provided feedback on what should happen along this corridor – will that be used in the Bailey BRT project?

    Yes, the many thoughts, suggestions and concerns provided during previous projects’ outreach are being carefully reviewed by NFTA and the consultant team and will be incorporated into this project. There will be additional opportunities for the community to provide feedback during this project, and that feedback will be used in conjunction with information provided previously.

  • How does Bailey Ave BRT relate to the NFTA-Metro Metro Transit Expansion Project?

    The Metro Transit Expansion Project is focused on creating a link between the existing Metro Rail Line in Buffalo and current/emerging activity centers in Amherst and Tonawanda. The Bailey Avenue BRT Project is aimed at improving travel conditions for all in the Bailey Avenue corridor, especially transit riders, and to make additional infrastructure improvements that will benefit all those who live, work, and visit the area. Both projects are being planned, designed, and implemented independently with the support of separate funding sources.
    While each project serves a unique purpose and need, and offers individual benefits to their respective corridors, both are part of a broader vision for an expanded rapid transit network across the Buffalo-Niagara region that provides enhanced connections to jobs, health care, education, and recreation opportunities for residents and visitors alike.

  • Will there be dedicated bus lanes on Bailey Ave?

    Though details of the project are still being developed, dedicated bus lanes are an essential part of BRT service and are an important source of the service’s benefits. Final BRT route designs are expected to include dedicated bus lanes in select locations.

  • Will the BRT service cost more?

    Fares are not expected to increase due to BRT and NFTA Metro’s existing fare structure will remain the same. However, enhanced fare collection systems are under consideration for BRT routes. Many BRT systems nationwide use an off-board fare collection system, like what is now used on Metro Rail, where riders purchase passes or tickets before boarding and are required to show proof of payment on request. The next phase of project development will further explore fare collection alternatives.

  • Will there be bike lanes on Bailey Avenue?

    Though details of the project are still being developed, NFTA is not currently developing bike lanes on Bailey Avenue. Buffalo’s existing bike network offers connections on nearby streets, although BRT stations may feature some related amenities like bike parking or bike share docks. For more information on bike network development in Buffalo, visit the Greater Buffalo Niagara Regional Transportation Council’s 2020 Regional Bicycle Master Plan.

  • Will parking be removed?

    At this stage, details of the project are still being developed. NFTA will work to minimize parking loss as a result of BRT, though some street safety improvements may require evaluating existing parking.

  • Where else is NFTA-Metro going to have BRT service?

    Bailey Avenue BRT is, for now, the first and only BRT route being developed in the NFTA-Metro system. Results from this project could provide an incentive to develop more. If you have suggestions for other parts of the NFTA-Metro network that might benefit from BRT, you can pass them along to the project team during public outreach or through the project website.

  • How is equity being incorporated into the Bailey Ave BRT project?

    Equity has been a central component of the development of the project from the start and will be considered in various ways as the work is advanced. This includes having an Equity and Inclusion Plan to inform the public participation, targeting engagement to make sure that communities often ignored or excluded have a voice on the project, and prioritizing infrastructure investments in the areas of the corridor which qualify as Justice40 areas.

  • What are Community Ambassadors?

    These are paid positions with specific roles related to spreading the word about the project and soliciting feedback from residents, riders, and other community members in the Bailey Avenue corridor. For more information on the ambassador program, or to apply, please visit: https://forms.office.com/r/XkdNY0gnzi.