Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is the public agency that runs most public transportation in the Buffalo–Niagara Falls metropolitan area. It provides buses and rail services to help people travel around the area.

In 2025, about 72,800 people used the NFTA each weekday. The NFTA also helps manage important places like the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport and the Niagara Falls International Airport, ensuring they work well for travelers.

The NFTA employs around 1,500 workers and looks after many properties, including the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center in Downtown Buffalo, which is its main office. Some bus stops have been used since the time of the International Railway Company, an earlier company that helped create the NFTA.

History

See also: International Railway (New York-Ontario)

The first bus services in Buffalo began in 1923. A private company called the International Bus Company ran them. Before that, the International Railway Company managed many streetcar routes in Erie and Niagara counties. In 1947, a new plan gave control of these routes to the Niagara Frontier Rapid Transit Commission. This led to the start of the Niagara Frontier Transit System in 1950.

Later, in 1967, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) was created. This was part of New York State’s effort to support public transportation in major cities. The NFTA took over many local transit services starting in 1974. It moved its offices to the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center in 1977. Other areas with similar agencies include the Rochester Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the Central New York Regional Transportation Authority, and the Capital District Transportation Authority.

Governing body and executive director

The NFTA is run by a group of 12 commissioners. They watch over the work of the authority and help make big decisions. The executive director tells the commissioners about what is happening.

The commissioners are chosen by important leaders, like the Governor of the State of New York and the Erie County Executive. Most of them serve for five years, but sometimes someone new joins sooner.

NFTA Airports Division

See also: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport

The NFTA takes care of two large airports: Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Niagara Falls International Airport. These airports help people fly in and out of the Buffalo–Niagara Falls area. The NFTA works to keep these airports running well for everyone.

NFTA Metro Division

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) Metro system helps people travel around Erie and Niagara counties. It serves cities like Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Lockport, Lackawanna, Tonawanda, and North Tonawanda. The system includes buses, light rail, and special services to make getting around easier.

The NFTA has about 310 buses, 27 light rail cars, and other vehicles to help people move through the area. Buses come from different makers and use various fuels, including diesel and natural gas. The system has many routes, each with its own number and schedule, making it simple for passengers to find the right bus or train. There are also special services for events and schools, plus plans to improve routes and add new stops to better serve the community.

NFTA Properties Division (stations/garages/barns)

The NFTA Properties Division takes care of the buildings and places where buses and other vehicles are kept and worked on. This includes spots where buses stop, big centers in the city, and offices for the NFTA.

All buses are kept at three main places:

• Cold Spring Terminal (Main Street and Michigan Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14208)
• Frontier Terminal (Kenmore Avenue and Military Road, Kenmore, NY 14217)
• Gisel/Wolford Terminal (Babcock and William Streets, Buffalo, NY 14206)
• South Park Terminal (South Park Avenue and Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203)

There are also important centers where many buses go, such as:

• Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center (MTC): 181 Ellicott Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
• Portage Road Transit Center (PRTC): 1124 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, NY 14303
• Niagara Falls Transportation Center (NFTC): 2250 Factory Outlet Boulevard, Niagara Falls, NY 14303

There are also smaller places in the suburbs where people can wait for buses and get information.

Stations with bus loops

• Utica, 1391 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
• Delavan/Canisius College (formerly Delavan-College), 1863 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
• LaSalle, 3030 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214
• University (formerly South Campus), 3383 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214

Stations without bus loops

• Erie Canal Harbor (formerly Auditorium), 100 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Merchants Insurance @ Seneca (formerly Seneca), 200 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Church, 300 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Evans Bank @ Lafayette Square (formerly Lafayette Square), 400 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Fountain Plaza (formerly Huron), 500 block of Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Allen-Medical Campus (formerly Allen-Hospital), 941 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
• Summer-Best, 1147 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209
• Humboldt-Hospital, 2040 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208
• Amherst Street, 2666 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14214

Active bus loops

• Andrews Loop northwest corner of Genesee Street and Andrews Avenue, Buffalo/Cheektowaga border
• Bailey/Abbott Loop northeast corner of Bailey Avenue and Abbott Road, Buffalo, NY 14220
• Black Rock/Riverside Loop southeast corner of Niagara Street and Ontario Street, Buffalo, NY 14207 (opening December 6, 2015)
• Wildwood Loop Seneca Street at Wildwood Place, Buffalo, NY 14210
• Ellicott Loop bounded by North Division, South Division, Ellicott and Oak Streets, Buffalo, NY 14203
• Fernwood Loop Clinton Street and Rossler Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14206
• Goethe Loop southeast corner of East Lovejoy Street and Goethe Street, Buffalo, NY 14206
• Huntley Loop Kensington Avenue near Huntley Avenue, Buffalo/Cheektowaga border
• Jersey Left on exit from Main Street at Bailey Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14214
• Michael Loop southeast corner of Broadway and Michael Avenue, Sloan, NY 14212
• Orchard Loop southeast corner of Delaware Avenue and Orchard Drive, Tonawanda, NY 14217
• Paramount Loop Colvin Boulevard and Paramount Parkway, Tonawanda, NY 14223
• Vulcan (Baxter) Loop northeast corner of Vulcan Street and Baxter Street, Buffalo, NY 14207

Union representation in the NFTA organization

The NFTA works with groups of workers called unions. In 2008, 13 unions helped make rules for NFTA employees. The biggest union is the Amalgamated Transit Union, and it helps the bus and train drivers. Another union, the International Longshoremen's Association, helps workers at airports and the Port of Buffalo. The NFTA Police Benevolent Association represents the police officers who work for the NFTA.