January 31, 2012

 Mr. Henry M. Sloma, Chairman

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority

181 Ellicott Street

Buffalo, NY  14203 

 Re: Proposed Service Reductions – Town of Tonawanda

 Dear Mr. Sloma,

      On behalf of residents and businesses in the Town of Tonawanda, we would like to comment on service reductions recently proposed by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA).

      Public transportation is important to life in our community. It provides an opportunity for Town residents to access employment and other activities throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region. It is also important to our businesses, which attract employees and customers from neighboring communities.  As representatives of the community, we are concerned with any changes that will affect the lives of our residents and our businesses.

      We have reviewed service reductions proposed by the NFTA and are relieved that routes such as Kenmore (5), Elmwood (20), Delaware (25) and Via Grand Island (40) will not be affected. Most of these routes provide important north-and-south access through our community, while Kenmore (5) serves our southern boundary.

      We are very concerned, however, that the NFTA has proposed the elimination of the Colvin (11) and Sheridan (35) routes, and a reduction in the Niagara Falls Boulevard (34) route.  The Colvin (11) route serves major centers of employment in our community, including the Colvin Woods Business Park.  In addition, our residents use that route to access employment, government services, education and other amenities in downtown Buffalo.

      Likewise, Sheridan (35) is an important east-and-west connection through a critical corridor in the Town. It brings employees to the Interstate Commerce Center and a major retail center at Delaware and Sheridan. Residents throughout the Town can reach services, shopping centers and employment in the Town of Amherst, including the SUNY Buffalo campus. Sheridan (35) is a vital link for residents in the Parkside Village neighborhood, who have a higher usage rate of public transportation.

      Niagara Falls Boulevard (34) is an important north-and-south route along the eastern boundary of the Town. It provides connections to the SUNY-Buffalo campus and NFTA Metro Rail, as well as shopping centers and major employers in the Audubon Industrial Park. Although service may be preserved to SUNY-Buffalo and shopping centers, it appears that access to employment opportunities in Audubon may be reduced or eliminated.

      We understand the increased demands upon the NFTA for more service with fewer resources, and stand ready to work with you to address the public transportation needs of residents and businesses in the Town of Tonawanda. We have the ability to convene town officials, developers, business owners and other stakeholders to identify potential solutions to challenges, including cooperative agreements recently highlighted in a Buffalo News article.

      Let us use this financial challenge as an opportunity to work together and improve access to public transportation in the Town of Tonawanda.

                                                                                                 Sincerely,

                                                                                                 Anthony F. Caruana

                                                                                                Town of Tonawanda, Supervisor

                                                                                                 Tracey Lukasik

                                                                                                Ken-Ton Chamber of Commerce, E.D. 

                                                                                                Robert L. Dimmig

                                                                                                Town of Tonawanda Economic Dev. Corp