BUFFALO, N.Y. — A community center on Buffalo’s East Side has a busload of concerns amidst a new change coming to NFTA bus stops.
Bus Stop Balancing is an initiative introduced by NFTA-Metro to consolidate bus stops to improve travel times, reliability, and bus stop amenities at all stops.
“We don’t want buses that are overcrowded, and you can’t find a seat and we don’t want empty buses on the road,” said Kelly Khatib, NFTA Public Information Officer
A yellow sign means a proposed new stop, blue — a proposed elimination and green — no changes.
The sight of a blue sign next to Delavan Grider Community Center left community members with questions.
“It’s gonna harm elderly people who come and participate in activities here, families who use public transportation and have small children. It’s an additional distance away from the community center” said Candace Moppins, executive director of the Metro Community Development Corporation.
The proposed moving of the stop is just two blocks away on Cambridge Street – a change that many would barely notice. But Moppins says, for vulnerable communities, a new location could pose a challenge.
“Summertime is not bad, but wintertime poses a different problem,” Moppins said.
But today, NFTA-Metro is sending a message to riders: They want to work with the community to complete the balancing act. Signaling good news for the community center, and every community along route 26
“We do plan to go to the community center, talk to the people, and again no changes will be made until that is done,” Khatib said.