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THE CASE FOR METRO RAIL EXPANSION
Metro Rail expansion would benefit our region in a variety of ways. To name a few:
1. MORE MOBILITY, LESS WELFARE. According to the U.S. Census, nearly one-third of Buffalo households (and thus an even higher number of individual Buffalo residents) lack cars. Improved public transit would make it easier for them to reach suburban jobs and malls, and thereby reduce poverty and welfare dependency.
Moreover, the need for public transit should increase over the next few years because: (a) welfare reform will force many of the carless poor to go to work instead of staying at home, and (b) our aging society will increase the number of people physically unable to drive.
2. CLEANER AIR. A light-rail system such as Buffalo's emits 0.02 grams of carbon monoxide and 0.47 grams of nitrous oxide per passenger-mile. By contrast, buses emit 3.05 and 1.54 grams of these pollutants per passenger-mile respectively, and single-person autos emit 15.06 and 2.06 grams.
3. REDUCED TRAFFIC CONGESTION. According to a study by the Community Transit Association of America (referenced below in the "Links" section) Greater Buffalo's public transit system reduces traffic congestion by 6.2% by taking cars off the road.
4. MOBILITY DURING CRISES. Because Buffalo is prone to snowstorms which make driving difficult, Buffalo needs a functional rail system far more than Sunbelt cities.
5. TECHNICAL FEASIBILITY. We can save money on new rail service by using existing railroad rights-of-way which would allow us to extend service to Niagara Falls, North Tonawanda, Tonawanda, Amherst, Cheektowaga, Depew, Lancaster, Hamburg and Orchard Park for the fraction of the costs incurred by other rail systems.
Individual Metro Rail Extensions:(CAPS Indicate Top Priorities)
The Official CRTC map of expansion advocated by CRTC:
A rough map of the enitre system advocated by CRTC, including the Amherst Cooridor & all stations(by Richard Sampson)
CRTC Proposed Vintage Trolley
Cooridor 1:Tonawanda/Niagara Cooridor
TONAWANDAS LINE
North Buffalo Line
Niagara Falls Lines
Niagara River Connection
Cooridor 2:Amherst Cooridor
AMHERST COMPLETION
Cooridor 3:Airport Cooridor
AIRPORT LINE
East Side Belt Line
Cooridor 4:Southtowns Cooridor
SOUTHTOWNS LINE
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Here is one routing possibility for the proposed system. It it designed similar to the Metro system in Washington, DC, with colors and end stations designating routes. The yellow and orange lines allow passengers to take faster trains to Downtown Buffalo or the Airport.
(please note: these are only the views of Richard Sampson,CRTC webmaster and by no means reflect the opinions of the CRTC nor do they represent any official routing proposals)
Back to CRTC Main Page
Advocating Transit Mobility for All
in Buffalo, NY
thru
the Expansion of Mertro Rail
to the Suburbs and Major Attactions
in 4 major cooridors
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