LRT operations in Buffalo are rather unique in that they border on being a mini-HRT system using LRT equipment, though the vehicles are not articulated. The underground part of the system more closely resembles an HRT subway system with high level platforms, while the Main Street transit mall has curbside boarding using steps.

Car interior

Steps deployed for boarding

Fare collection:

NFTA uses a zone fare system, however Metro Rail is entirely in Zone 1.

A single fare in a single zone is US$1.75. The surface portion of Metro Rail is a free fare zone.

A day pass is available for US$4.50 and is good for all zones.

Day pass good for unlimited trips

A weekend pass is available for US$7.00 and is good for all zones.

A monthly pass is available for US$64 for one zone, or $77 for all zones. A 30-day pass is also available for the same prices that is good for a 30-day period after its issue date.

Here is a run-down of the trip on the route from Erie Canal Harbor to University that takes approximately 21 minutes:

LRT passing under One HSBC Place heading towards Erie Canal Harbor

The line starts out downtown with a nearly north-south alignment (SSW-NNE would be more accurate) and curves to a Northeast-Southwest alignment beteen Utica and Delvan stations. To keep descriptions simple, "inbound" will be used to describe heading towards downtown and "outbound" will be used for the other direction.

The downtown end of the line has a station that only serves events a the HSBC Arena. For all other times, the downtown terminus for operation is the Erie Canal Harbor station on Main Street just south of I-190. This station, like all other surface stations along Main Street, have side platforms.

Heading out, the line passes under One HSBC Place along the alignment of Main Street. The line is controlled at intersections with other streets by standard traffic lights that do not appear to operate under any special transit-priority system.

On Main Street, the LRT operates in an exclusive transit mall where no other vehicles travel.

The one exception to this is the block between Swan Street and Church/Division Streets where there is car lanes on either side of the LRT ROW.

Each of the Main Street stations (Erie Canal Harbor, Seneca, Church, Lafayette Square, Fountain Plaza, and Theater are about a block or two apart, with the outbound platform at the outbound-end intersection in the block and the inbound platform at the intersection at that end.

Church station

The entire surface section of the line is fare-free.

Past Theater, the line descends below ground where it continues underground for the rest of the route. Proof of fare payment is required past Theater.

2-car train at University

Platform at University.
Platforms at Delavan Canisius College, Humboldt Hospital, and LaSalle have a similar look.

The first underground stop is Allen Medical Hospital, a side platform station with brown wall tiles. The next two stations are Summer Best and Utica, both with side platforms with tiled walls.

The remainder of the line has all stations with a single centre island platform. The first two, Delavan Canisius College and Humboldt Hospital, have curved paneled walls (think Queen's Park station in Toronto).

The next station is Amherst Street. This centre platform station is the only one without curved walls. Instead, it has a more open feeling as the curved wall stations have limited locations where one can pass from one platform to the other or to an exit.

The last two stations are LaSalle and University, and have a similar appearance to Delavan Canisius College and Humboldt Hospital.

Street boarding:

Instead of having steps inside the car, Buffalo's LRVs have steps that deploy on the outside of the vehicle when stopped at a surface station. They deploy before the doors are opened, and retract after the doors have closed.

At surface stations, the front door by the operator's cab is spotted at a small high-level platform for accessibility.

Vehicles:

Older interior

Newer interior

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This page last updated February 11, 2011