NFTA to make cutbacks to Buffalo State

With possible route reductions and fare hikes looming, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority's budget problems may have a direct effect on Buffalo State students.

Under the current proposal being considered to close a multi-million dollar budget gap, fares would increase by $.25, with additional increases in day passes and other passes. Several routes would be eliminated or face service reductions, including two buses regularly serving Buffalo State students. Route 206, which is a campus circulator, taking students from campus to Tops and Wegmans, would be eliminated, while route 32, the Amherst Street bus, may see service reductions.

None of the changes proposed would have an effect on the current school year due to the current contract that is in place, said NFTA spokesman Doug Hartmayer. The contract ends on May 31.

"The current services will be in place through the current agreement," he said. "Anything after that going forward for the fall semester of 2012 will have to be negotiated as part of a new contract."

The proposed fare hike could also impact student bus passes. Surveys will be taken to gauge student interest in retaining the bus passes at an increased cost and making them good throughout the year, said Muhammed Sumbundu, administrative vice president for student affairs.

"The NFTA has agreed to sit down and renegotiate with the school, but they haven't presented anything yet," he said. "As a result, I'm starting to work on a survey to hear students on the increases I know NFTA will propose."

On the survey, Sumbundu will also ask about retaining route 206, with reduced service hours.

One of the issues with route 206 is the lack of use, said Timothy Ecklund, associate vice president for campus life.

"What the NFTA is telling us is that the 206 falls below ridership standards," he said.

Hartmayer said there are times when the bus has one or two riders and sometimes runs with no riders on it.

Despite the low ridership numbers, the bus is important to students and is essential for those who don't own cars, and are looking for an alternative to eating on campus, Sumbundu said.

Finding out what students think on the survey will be an important step in the process, Ecklund said.

"I would think this would be a vital system for students," he said.

While nothing has been decided definitively yet, negotiations between the school and NFTA could lead to the retention of services, Hartmayer said.

"It's on the table, and it would have to be negotiated as part of a contract going forward," he said.

Right now, route 206 is included as part of the fee for the bus passes. In the future, the bus could cost more than what is covered in the price for bus passes, Hartmayer said.

Two public hearings will be held in March to discuss the current proposal. The first will be held on March 21 at Niagara Falls City Hall at 6 p.m., and the second will be held on March 22 at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library at 6 p.m.

Michael Canfield can be reached by email at canfield.record@live.com.