Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 15 of 58

Thread: Metro Rail Expansion

  1. #1
    Member BuffaloEMT14216's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    North Buffalo
    Posts
    342

    Metro Rail Expansion

    I've often pondered the thought of the trolleys that used to zoom down my North Buffalo street, connecting to the Hertel No.9-23 Streetcar, taking you to points and destinations all over the city.
    I have in my possession a November 1, 1939 map from the International Railway Corporation,(IRC). They were the forerunner, and must say smarter NFTA we now have. The NFTA would probably hunt me down to destroy this map. It shows a real transit system.
    Streetcar routes were on streets like Hertel, Main, Bailey, Fillmore, Kensington, Broadway, Genesee, Sycamore, South Park, Seneca, Clinton, Virgil, Kehr, French, etc. Yes cars can share the road with trolleys, don't need an impact study for that!
    Prior years service was on Kenmore, Delaware, Elmwood, West Ferry, Vulcan, etc.
    They even had high speed trains, that ran along the former tracks in North Buffalo that went to Niagara Falls, which in turn had local trolley routes. They even had the Great Gorge trolley route which you can still walk it's old trackbed today.
    Besides that the New York Central Beltline, along with the Erie Lackawanna and DL&W beltlines, circled the city with commuter trains that ran every 10-15 minutes. Could you imagine. The New York Central Beltline still exists in North Buffalo, now as a freight line, and the old EL and DL&W Beltlines are the land currently under development in North Buffalo.
    With all that said, doesn't it fire anyone else up that we have probably the most useless LRRT in the world. Think about it. It goes 6 miles, doesn't really stop at any sites or important locations. It's not a regional tool. Can't take the "A"Train or the "R" Train. The Tonawanda Corridor, the former IRC high speed lines, tore up last year. Guess the NFTA won't be going through with that plan. Amherst UB North, it was tunneled a little ways, but the white elitists at the time didn't want the city element in there town. Airport corridor, Southtowns corridor, Niagara corridor. These were all plans laid out in the NFTA's original plan in 1974! That's right, 1974! They always say, it's money, and people don't want it expanded.
    I believe more to the fact that the NFTA board enjoys it's stranglehold on WNY's economy. They hold all the cards. The waterfront, the airport(s), Yeah, they even forget about Niagara(The Bigger One), etc. Think about that power they yield.
    Metro Rail expansion is what the people want, however one must remember we don't elect NFTA commissoners. That's right, governor appointees. That means brownnosers. Shadow governments. Gotta love'em.
    This is another issue to get Carl Paladino, Brian Higgins, and others in power behind. The NFTA is just as bad as the Thruway Authority.

  2. #2
    Member mikewrona's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Amherst
    Posts
    4,271
    Quote Originally Posted by BuffaloEMT14216
    I've often pondered the thought of the trolleys that used to zoom down my North Buffalo street, connecting to the Hertel No.9-23 Streetcar, taking you to points and destinations all over the city.
    I have in my possession a November 1, 1939 map from the International Railway Corporation,(IRC). They were the forerunner, and must say smarter NFTA we now have. The NFTA would probably hunt me down to destroy this map. It shows a real transit system.
    Streetcar routes were on streets like Hertel, Main, Bailey, Fillmore, Kensington, Broadway, Genesee, Sycamore, South Park, Seneca, Clinton, Virgil, Kehr, French, etc. Yes cars can share the road with trolleys, don't need an impact study for that!
    Prior years service was on Kenmore, Delaware, Elmwood, West Ferry, Vulcan, etc.
    They even had high speed trains, that ran along the former tracks in North Buffalo that went to Niagara Falls, which in turn had local trolley routes. They even had the Great Gorge trolley route which you can still walk it's old trackbed today.
    Besides that the New York Central Beltline, along with the Erie Lackawanna and DL&W beltlines, circled the city with commuter trains that ran every 10-15 minutes. Could you imagine. The New York Central Beltline still exists in North Buffalo, now as a freight line, and the old EL and DL&W Beltlines are the land currently under development in North Buffalo.
    With all that said, doesn't it fire anyone else up that we have probably the most useless LRRT in the world. Think about it. It goes 6 miles, doesn't really stop at any sites or important locations. It's not a regional tool. Can't take the "A"Train or the "R" Train. The Tonawanda Corridor, the former IRC high speed lines, tore up last year. Guess the NFTA won't be going through with that plan. Amherst UB North, it was tunneled a little ways, but the white elitists at the time didn't want the city element in there town. Airport corridor, Southtowns corridor, Niagara corridor. These were all plans laid out in the NFTA's original plan in 1974! That's right, 1974! They always say, it's money, and people don't want it expanded.
    I believe more to the fact that the NFTA board enjoys it's stranglehold on WNY's economy. They hold all the cards. The waterfront, the airport(s), Yeah, they even forget about Niagara(The Bigger One), etc. Think about that power they yield.
    Metro Rail expansion is what the people want, however one must remember we don't elect NFTA commissoners. That's right, governor appointees. That means brownnosers. Shadow governments. Gotta love'em.
    This is another issue to get Carl Paladino, Brian Higgins, and others in power behind. The NFTA is just as bad as the Thruway Authority.
    Well, the NFTA did buy a dozen or so old PCC trolley cars from Cleveland years ago for use on the Tonawanda Extension. So much for that investment. I wonder where they sit today.

    I've often thought that a way to assist tourism in the area would be a rail line traveling Buffalo, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Medina, Albion, Rochester, Batavia, and back to Buffalo might be a worth while investment. It would be a way to keep the 8 or so million Niagara Falls visitors in the area for more than 4 hours.

  3. #3
    Member steven's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2004
    Location
    West Side!
    Posts
    11,541
    there is a group devoted to expanding the rail to the airport
    People who wonder if the glass is half empty or full miss the point. The glass is refillable.

  4. #4
    Member BuffaloEMT14216's Avatar
    Join Date
    Apr 2006
    Location
    North Buffalo
    Posts
    342

    They sold'em

    Quote Originally Posted by mikewrona
    Well, the NFTA did buy a dozen or so old PCC trolley cars from Cleveland years ago for use on the Tonawanda Extension. So much for that investment. I wonder where they sit today.

    I've often thought that a way to assist tourism in the area would be a rail line traveling Buffalo, Tonawanda, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Medina, Albion, Rochester, Batavia, and back to Buffalo might be a worth while investment. It would be a way to keep the 8 or so million Niagara Falls visitors in the area for more than 4 hours.
    Yeah I remember those trolley cars too. The NFTA sold them off quietly a couple of years ago to a private collector. Money in there coffer.

  5. #5
    Member concernedwnyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    3,232
    Quote Originally Posted by steven
    there is a group devoted to expanding the rail to the airport
    Do you know the name of the group off hand?

  6. #6
    Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Posts
    1,884
    Quote Originally Posted by concernedwnyer
    Do you know the name of the group off hand?
    Citizens Regional Transit Corporation

    http://citizenstransit.org/


    Meeting announcement here:

    http://www.buffalorising.com/city/ar..._address_h.php

  7. #7
    Member sharky's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Amherst
    Posts
    2,183
    Quote Originally Posted by steven
    there is a group devoted to expanding the rail to the airport
    it would be a logical place to extend it to, and from there to the galleria, or would that piss off the downtowners that hate shopping centers out in the burbs
    Vote for freedom, not political parties.
    Politicians need to cut spending

  8. #8
    Member TheRightView's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2005
    Posts
    3,379
    The government could claim eminent domain; it woul dbe a way to get people from the airport to Shea's, The ballpark, the arena, Bass Pro(?), the casino(?, if they extend it). The possibilities are endless.
    "All government, -indeed, every human benefit and enjoyment, every virtue and every prudent act,- is founded on compromise..." -Edmund Burke
    A lie can travel halfway around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes.
    Mark Twain (1835 - 1910), (attributed)
    Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." —Washington, D.C., Aug. 5, 2004 George W. Bush

  9. #9
    Member concernedwnyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    3,232
    Quote Originally Posted by sharky
    it would be a logical place to extend it to, and from there to the galleria, or would that piss off the downtowners that hate shopping centers out in the burbs
    It makes absolutely no sense to invest money into an antiquated rail system for transportation in and about this area… The tracks look hideous with all the wires over head and you have to compete with a rail car for right of way.. Geesh.. Though it may cost a little more initial a monorail type system is the way to go. They are not as obtrusive and they can easily be expanded into other areas…

    A monorail station could easily be integrated not the galleria mall and then head out to the airport.. Try doing that with a rail system…. Metro rail is shortsighted thinking.

  10. #10
    Member concernedwnyer's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2004
    Posts
    3,232
    Quote Originally Posted by TheRightView
    The government could claim eminent domain; it woul dbe a way to get people from the airport to Shea's, The ballpark, the arena, Bass Pro(?), the casino(?, if they extend it). The possibilities are endless.
    They could use the ole eminent domain card but if I had property that was relinquished for a metro rail project I would make a prediction along with side bets that the rail car would break down mysteriously every time it came onto the former property.

    Look at all those people near the peace bridge that were forced into accepting eminent domain when the time comes. Key word when the time comes. What is the status of the peace bridge? People are living in fear about the future because they may be asked to leave at anytime…..

  11. #11
    Member ForestBird's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    473
    Quote Originally Posted by concernedwnyer

    Look at all those people near the peace bridge that were forced into accepting eminent domain when the time comes. People are living in fear about the future because they may be asked to leave at anytime…..
    Fear? They've been HOPING for it, so they will be paid for properties that can't be sold. Now that the Episcopal Home is closing, the new plaza might go there after all, disappointing those who have been praying for a buyout.

    If a second bridge is built, along with a new plaza.

  12. #12
    Member
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Posts
    1,586
    Quote Originally Posted by ForestBird
    Fear? They've been HOPING for it, so they will be paid for properties that can't be sold. .
    you got that right Forest. Those property owners have the million dollar dream going.

  13. #13
    Member Linda_D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    God's Own Country ... the Southern Tier
    Posts
    8,222
    Before you all go building plans for any kind of light rail, how about figuring it out if people would actually use it.

    Fact 1: In the Buffalo area, most mass transit users do so under duress -- they don't have driving privileges or they can't afford cars or they can't afford downtown parking.

    Fact 2: Business travelers flying into the airport are unlikely to use mass transit instead of a rental car.

    Fact 3: Taking mass transit to an entertainment event frequently has more limitations than does taking a private vehicle, including partaking in spontaneous celebrations after the event.

    The "build it and they will use it" script has repeatedly proven to be a dud, not just in Buffalo but in many other cities as well.
    Your right to buy a military weapon without hindrance, delay or training cannot trump Daniel Barden’s right to see his eighth birthday. -- Jim Himes

  14. #14
    Member Linda_D's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    God's Own Country ... the Southern Tier
    Posts
    8,222
    Quote Originally Posted by ForestBird
    Fear? They've been HOPING for it, so they will be paid for properties that can't be sold. Now that the Episcopal Home is closing, the new plaza might go there after all, disappointing those who have been praying for a buyout.

    If a second bridge is built, along with a new plaza.
    The reason that those properties can't be sold is because of the uncertainty about the bridge. Many homeowners bought their homes 20+ years ago before Peace Bridge expansion was even talked about, and they're trapped because nobody wants to buy a house that you might have to sell in 2 years ... or 5 years ... or ???
    Your right to buy a military weapon without hindrance, delay or training cannot trump Daniel Barden’s right to see his eighth birthday. -- Jim Himes

  15. #15
    Member ForestBird's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2006
    Posts
    473
    Quote Originally Posted by Boost Buffalo
    Those property owners have the million dollar dream going.
    Well, hardly that; many people down there are hoping for just a decent buyout offer. That area around Niagara isn't exactly a 'hot market' !

    ps - Light rail expansion is extremely unlikely; the State has no intention of funding it, and Federal funds will be going to much larger cities IF they aren't cut entirely.

Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Metro Expansion
    By nicole in forum Polls on Western New York Issues
    Replies: 133
    Last Post: November 16th, 2006, 01:50 PM
  2. Moderate job growth for Buffalo metro
    By steven in forum Morning Breakfast - Breaking News
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: March 8th, 2006, 05:28 PM
  3. Would you support a 1Cent gas tax to extend our Light Rail?
    By moadib in forum Polls on Western New York Issues
    Replies: 54
    Last Post: June 16th, 2005, 11:21 PM
  4. Replies: 16
    Last Post: January 27th, 2005, 02:14 PM
  5. Metro Rail Expansion
    By keyboard150 in forum Morning Breakfast - Breaking News
    Replies: 73
    Last Post: September 15th, 2004, 07:54 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •