| Car line | Terminals | Began service Horse | Began service Electric |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Road | -- | 1915 | |
| Albany/School | |||
| Bailey | -- | 1916 | |
| Best | Main & South Division NYC Belt Line (Walden Ave) | -- | 1897 |
| Broadway | Docks Emslie | 1885 | 1893 |
| Cazenovia | Triangle Cazenovia & Seneca | -- | 1893 |
| Chicago | -- | 1908 | |
| Clinton | 1885 | 1888 | |
| Connecticut | -- | 1881 | |
| Elk | -- | 1891 | |
| Elmwood | Elmwood & Allen Elmwood & Forest | 1889 | |
| East Ferry | -- | 1895 | |
| Fillmore | -- | 1907 | |
| Forest | 1888 | ||
| Hertel | -- | 1894 | |
| Genesee | 1861 | ||
| Grant | -- | 1893 | |
| Herman | |||
| Hoyt | 1879 | 1881 | |
| Jefferson | 1873 | 1894 | |
| Kenmore (Parkside) | -- | 1898 | |
| Kensington | -- | 1895 | |
| Main | Docks City Line | 1860 | 1890 |
| Michigan | 1880 | 1912 | |
| Niagara | 1860 | 1891 | |
| Seneca | -- | 1891 | |
| South Park | Triangle Limestone Hill | -- | 1894 |
| Sycamore | -- | 1892 | |
| Tonawanda Street | -- | 1892 | |
| East Utica | -- | 1900 | |
| West Utica | -- | 1899 | |
| Washington | -- | 1892 | |
| William | Eagle & Main Stockyards (Babcock) | 1874 |
| Route name | Roads travelled |
|---|---|
| Albany/School | from foot of Main, Court, Niagara, Connecticut, Fourteenth, Albany, School to Niagara. |
| Bailey | Elk & Seneca, Bailey, South Park Av to Limestone Hill. |
| Baynes & Hoyt | Main & Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest. |
| Broadway | Main & Exchange, Main, Clinton, Washington, Broadway to City Line. |
| Clinton/Eagle | Main & North Division, Eagle, Emslie, Clinton to City Line. |
| Elk Street | Main & Exchange, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca. |
| Elmwood Avenue | Main & Exchange, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Forest to the Park (Delaware Park) |
| Ferry Street | Main & Ferry, Bailey, Delavan to City Line. |
| Forest Avenue | Niagara & Forest, Forest, the Park, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Harvard Place to Main. |
| Genesee Street | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee to City Line. |
| Hertel Avenue | Main & Hertel, Hertel to Elmwood (McPherson) |
| Jefferson Street | Main & Exchange, Exchange, Louisiana, Seneca, Seneca, Cedar, Swan, Jefferson to Main. |
| Kensington Avenue | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee, Kehr, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey, to City Line. |
| Main Street | Foot of Main Street, Main to City Line. |
| Michigan Avenue | Main & Exchange, Exchange, Michigan, to Main. |
| Niagara Street | Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda Street to City Line. |
| Seneca Street | Main & Seneca, Seneca to City Line and Cazenovia Park. |
| Sycamore Street | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line. |
| West Avenue | Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, to NYC Belt Line. |
| William Street | Main & N Division, Main, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line. |
The Pan-American Exposition was held from May 1 through November 2, 1901. [3]
| Route name | Roads travelled | Base service | Night service? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best | Main & S Division, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden, to NYCRR. | 10 min | no |
| Broadway | Cleveland & Buffalo Dock, Washington, Broadway to City Line. | 7.5 min | yes |
| Cazenovia | Triangle (Abbott & South Park), Abbott, Cazenovia to Seneca. | 20 min | no |
| Chicago see Sycamore/Chicago | |||
| Clinton | Main & Clinton, Main, Eagle, Clinton to City Line. RETURN trips Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Main to Clinton. | 7.5 min | no |
| Connecticut Belt Line | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Connecticut, Plymouth, Allen, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 10 min | no |
| East Ferry | Erie Depot, Exchange, Main, E Ferry, Bailey, Delavan, to City Line. | 9 min to Belt Line 18 min to City Line | no |
| East Utica | Foot of Main St, Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Genesee. | 18 min | no |
| Elmwood | Hertel & Elmwood, Elmwood, Allen, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 6 min | yes |
| Elk/South Park | Washington & South Division, Washington, Perry, Elk, Abbott, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill | 7 min | yes |
| Forest Belt | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Harvard, Balcom, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 9 min | |
| Genesee | Pine Hill Loop, Genesee, Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. | 6 min | yes |
| Grant | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road to City Line. | 7.5 min to Grant/Military 15 min to City Line. | no |
| Herman | Main & S Division, S Division, Spring, William, Mortimer, Peckham, Smith, Herman to Best. RETURN trips via Herman, Smith, Peckham, Mortimer, William, Spring, Swan, to Main. | 14 min | no |
| Hertel | Main & Hertel, Hertel to Tonawanda. | 20 min | no |
| Hoyt | Michigan & Exchange, Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest, Hoyt, Hampshirt, Winter, Brayton, Seventeenth, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, Virginia, Main, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. | 6 | yes |
| Jefferson | Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan, Bailey, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. Trips after 8:30 pm operate only to Emslie & Swan. After 8:30, use Elk/South Park cars between Emslie & Limestone Hill. | 8 Min | yes |
| Kensington | Erie Depot, Exchange, Main, E Ferry, Grider, Kensington to Bailey | 18 min | no |
| Main | Docks, Main St to City Line. | 3 min | yes |
| Michigan | Main & South Division, S Division, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Exchange, Michigan, E Ferry to Main. RETURN E Ferry, Masten, North St., Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 10 min | no |
| Niagara | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, to City Line. | 4 min | yes |
| Seneca | Washington & Seneca, Seneca, City Line, Seneca, Main, S Division, Washington to Seneca. | 7 min | yes |
| Sycamore/Chicago | Walden & Hoerner, Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Chestnut, Swan, Chicago, Perry, Hamburg to Erie RR. | 10 min | yes (Hoerner to Exchange) |
| Utica Belt Line | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Ferry, Chenango, Utica, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 9 min | no |
| William | Main & Eagle, Eagle, Michigan, William, City Line, William, Michigan, N Division, Main to Eagle. | 6 min | yes |
| Zoo (Parkside) | Terrace & Main, Main, Florence, Parkside to Belt Line. | 15 | no |
After the amalgamation of a number of streetcar companies during the early start of the 20th century, the International Railway Company began assignment of route numbers to virtually all of its routes it operated. Some truncated versions (such as "Abt" for Abbott Road, and "Bst" for Best Street) remained, but were slowly assigned numbers, similar to the current route numbers used in today's NFTA Metro routes.
| Route name | Route travelled | Base service | Night service? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abt - Abbott | Abbott & Woodside, Abbott, Bailey, Seneca, Swan to Erie, returning Erie, S. Division, Chestnut, Swan, Seneca, Bailey, Abbott to Woodside. | 10 min | service stops 1:00 am |
| Bst - Best Street | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden to Lathrop, returning Walden, Best, Elm, Swan to Erie. | 10 min. | service stops 12:15 am |
| 4-Broadway | South Division & Ellicott, Ellicott, N Division, Washington, Broadway, City Line, Broadway, Washington to S Division. | 5 min | yes |
| 2-Clinton | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Clinton, City Line, Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. | 8 min | yes |
| Con-Connecticut | Niagara & Connecticut, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Normal, Connecticut to Niagara. | service stops 12:00mid | |
| 12-East Utica | Ferry & Genesee, Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, Utica, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange, Main, Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, Ferry to Genesee. | 6.5 min 5:30–8:25 am 2:05–7:30 pm | yes |
| E-Elmwood | Exchange & Michigan, Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hertel, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan, to Erie and NYC depots. | 4 min | yes |
| 11-East Ferry/Elk | Delavan & Preston, Delavan, Bailey, Ferry, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca, returning same route. | 6 min a.m. rush hours 10 min mid-day 5 min p.m. rush hours. | service stops 1:00 am |
| 13-Kensington | Bailey & City Line, Bailey, Kensington, Grider, Ferry, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace, Main, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to City Line. | 6 min a.m. rush hours 10 min mid-day 5 min p.m. rush hours. | service stops 2:08 am |
| G-Genesee | Perry & Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill, returning, Genesee, Main to Perry. | 8 min | yes |
| 3-Grant | Shelton Square, Niagara, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Tracy, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen, Vulcan, returning, Vulcan, Skillen, Military, Grant, Hampshire, Plymouth, York, West, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippewa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | 6 min | yes |
| 7-Hoyt/Seneca | Forest & Hoyt, Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Vermont, 17th, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Cottage, Virginia, Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca to City Line, returning, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest. | 5.5 min | yes |
| Jef-Jefferson | Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan to Emslie, returning Swan, Jefferson to Main. During rush-periods, cars continue from Swan and Emslie to Smith, to Abbott Road. | 7.5 min Main to Emslie 10 min rush hours | yes |
| 8-Main | Ohio & Main, Main to City Line, returning same route. | 4 min | yes |
| 5-Niagara | Shelton Square, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Vulcan, River Road to Grand Island Ferry, returning River Road, Vulcan, Niagara, Grace, Tonawanda, Hertel, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | 8 min to City Line 4 min to Grace. | yes |
| 6-Sycamore | Swan & Washington, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line, returning Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Ellicott to Swan. | 8 min | yes |
| 10-West Utica/South Park | Limestone Hill, South Park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Main, W Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Massachusetts, Brayton, Utica, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. | 8 min | no |
| 1-William | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line, returning William, Michigan, North Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. | 6.5 min | no |
| 9-Zoo/Kenmore | Main & Seneca, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil, Kenmore to Delaware Av, returning Kenmore, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 10 min | service stops 12:30 am |
Shortly after 1935, major changes were becoming evident, with elimination of streetcar service on virtually all west-side lines, including (from west to east) 5-Niagara, 3-Grant, 7-Hoyt and 20-Elmwood streetcars, and (from north to south) 10-West Utica, and 22-Connecticut streetcars.
Post-1940, the only streetcar that crossed Main Street, continuing westbound, was the 23-Fillmore/Hertel car operating between South Park Avenue in South Buffalo and Tonawanda Street using a loop over Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara and Hertel.
| Route name | Route travelled | Destination Signs | Night service? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-William | From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to the City Line. Returning, on William, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. | William (both directions) | yes |
| 2-Clinton | From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Michigan, Clinton to City Line. Returning, on Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. | Clinton (both directions) | yes |
| 3-Grant | From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Tracy, West Ave, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen to Vulcan. Returning Skillen, Military Road, Grant, Hampshire, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, West Ave, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippawa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | Skillen or Hertel (outbound) Shelton Square (inbound) | yes Hertel-Shelton Square only |
| 4-Broadway | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Broadway to City Line. Returning, on Broadway, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Broadway (both directions) | yes |
| 5-Niagara | From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Vulcan to River Road. Returning, on Vulcan, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | Riverside or Grace (outbound) Shelton Square (inbound) | yes |
| 6-Sycamore | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line. Returning on Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Sycamore (both directions) | yes |
| 7-Hoyt | From Terrace and Franklin, on Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest to Hoyt, returning on Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, 17th, Jersey, York, Plymouth, Cottage, Elmwood, Chippawa, Franklin, Seneca, Pearl, to Terrace. | Terrace (inbound) Hoyt (outbound) | no |
| 8-Main | From D, L & W Depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main to City Line, returning on Main to D, L & W Depot. | City Line (outbound) DL&W Depot (inbound) | yes |
| 9-Kenmore (Zoo) | From DL&W depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil to Virgil loop at Kenmore Avenue. Returning, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main to DL&W depot. | Kenmore (outbound) DL&W Depot (inbound) | no |
| 10-West Utica Sundays, see route 11 | From Court & Main, on Main, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Utica, Main, Huron, Pearl, Court to Main. | West Utica (outbound) Court Street (inbound) | no |
| 11-East & West Utica Weekdays, see route 10, 12 | From Ferry and Niagara, on Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, West Utica, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara. | West Utica (westbound) East Utica (eastbound) | no |
| 12-East Utica Sundays, see route 11 | From Terrace and Main, on Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace to Main. | East Utica (outbound) Terrace (inbound) | no |
| 13-Kensington | From Shelton Square, on Main, East Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to Rounds, returning Bailey, Kensington, Grider, East Ferry, Main, Huron, Pearl, Niagara to Main. | Shelton Square (inbound) Kensington (outbound) | yes |
| 14-Abbott Road | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca, Smith, Abbott Road to Woodside, returning Abbott, Smith, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | Abbott Road (both directions) | no |
| 15-Seneca | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca to City Line, returning Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | Seneca (both directions) | yes |
| 16-South Park | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill, returning South park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | South Park (both directions) | yes |
| 18-Jefferson | From Main and Jefferson, on Jefferson, Swan to Larkin Loop, returning Swan, Jefferson, to Main and Jefferson loop. | Jefferson (both directions) | yes |
| 19-Bailey | From Broadway Car House (Broadway & Greene) on Broadway, Bailey, Seneca to Seneca Yard, returning Seneca, Bailey, Broadway to Greene. | Bailey (both directions) | yes, with exception of 1.75-hour gap between cars between 2:15 and 4:00 am |
| 20-Elmwood | From Michigan and Exchange, on Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hinman, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. | Exchange Depot (inbound) Hinman or Hertel (outbound) | yes |
| 21-Michigan/Forest | From Michigan and Seneca, on Seneca, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Ferry, Main, Harvard, Delavan, Delaware, Forest to Niagara, returning Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Main, Ferry, Michigan to Seneca. | Michigan (southbound) Forest (northbound) | no |
| 22-Connecticut | From Niagara and Connecticut, on Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen to Main. Returning, on Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Connecticut to Niagara. | Connecticut (both directions) | no |
| 23-Fillmore/Hertel | From Hertel and Tonawanda, on Hertel, Main, Fillmore, North Parade, East Parade, Genesee, Fillmore, Smith to Abbott Road. Returning, on Abbott Road, Elk, Smith, Fillmore, Genesee, East Parade, North Parade, Main, Hertel, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Hertel to Tonawanda. | Fillmore (southbound) Hertel (northbound) | yes |
| 24-Genesee | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. Returning, Genesee, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Genesee/Pine Hill (outbound) Genesee (inbound) | yes |
Shortly after 1935, the removal of streetcar lines became more evident after the introduction of new routes being operated with buses, instead of introducing new streetcar lines.
The first group of streetcar routes that reappeared as bus routes were the westside lines, easy to explain with the narrowness of the streets and their zigzagging over the courses of many streets. The routes that fell to bus service include:
In addition, elsewhere:
In 1941, four streetcar lines ended service.
After these dates, World War II had set in, creating a six-year gap in the escalation of lost streetcar routes, due to the shortage of manpower to fix the newly implemented buses, and from the scarcity of precious metal that was being used in wartime production of supplies.
At this time, the International Railway Company encouraged the riding public to return to the use of streetcars and support them in their cooperation with the war cause.
In 1947 and 1948, removal of streetcar service began again.
In 1950, the final six streetcar routes ended service, replaced immediately by buses.
After the end of passenger service, the Niagara Frontier Transit Corporation spent approximately six months removing the remaining 175 streetcars from the Cold Springs and Broadway streetcar barns over the remaining streetcar trackage on Broadway, Fillmore Avenue, Main Street and Hertel to the Military car barn where the outer bodies were removed and burned. [7]
The streetcar tracks were usually covered up with asphalt, and occasionally during major road work, construction crews may dig up remains of tracks that have been buried under mere inches or feet for the past fifty years.
At the present time, Main Street (NYS 5) is undergoing extensive reconstruction of the roadbed and in areas of roadway that were not dug up during the construction of the Metro Rail line (using tunnel boring instead), the tracks are being brought back to the surface and dismantled.
Though termed a "light rail subway", the Metro Rail is worthy of mention in that the portion operating in Downtown Buffalo from the Fountain Plaza to Erie Canal Harbor stations operates similar to a normally run streetcar service.
The route originates in Downtown Buffalo on Main Street at Erie Canal Harbor Station (previously Auditorium), just north of Scott and Hanover Streets. The light rail line continues north, then north-east along Main Street, stopping at 5 above-ground stations in Downtown Buffalo, then 8 underground stations (like a subway) until arriving at University Station, located a brief distance northeast of Niagara Falls Boulevard.
DL&W refers to Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad.
NYC refers to New York Central Railroad.
The New York Central Railroad was a railroad primarily operating in the Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The railroad primarily connected greater New York and Boston in the east with Chicago and St. Louis in the Midwest, along with the intermediate cities of Albany, Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Detroit, and Syracuse. New York Central was headquartered in New York City's New York Central Building, adjacent to its largest station, Grand Central Terminal.
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) is a New York State public-benefit corporation responsible for the public transportation oversight of Erie and Niagara counties. The NFTA, as an authority, oversees a number of subsidiaries, including the NFTA Metro bus and rail system, the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport and NFTA Small Boat Harbor. The NFTA Metro bus and rail system is a multi-modal agency, utilizing various vehicle modes, using the brand names: NFTA Metro Bus, NFTA Metro Rail, NFTA Metrolink and NFTA PAL.
Buffalo Metro Rail is the public transit rail system in Buffalo, New York, operated by the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). The system consists of a single, 6.4-mile (10.3 km) long light rail line that runs for most of the length of Main Street from KeyBank Center in Canalside to the south campus of the University at Buffalo in the northeast corner of the city. The first section of the line opened in October 1984; the current system was completed in November 1986.
The SEPTA subway–surface trolley lines are a collection of five SEPTA trolley lines that operate on street-level tracks in West Philadelphia and Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and also underneath Market Street in Philadelphia's Center City. The lines, Routes 10, 11, 13, 34, and 36, collectively operate on about 39.6 miles (63.7 km) of route.
New York State Railways was a subsidiary of the New York Central Railroad that controlled several large city streetcar and electric interurban systems in upstate New York. It included the city transit lines in Rochester, Syracuse, Utica, Oneida and Rome, plus various interurban lines connecting those cities. New York State Railways also held a 50% interest in the Schenectady Railway Company, but it remained a separate independent operation. The New York Central took control of the Rochester Railway Company, the Rochester and Eastern Rapid Railway and the Rochester and Sodus Bay Railway in 1905, and the Mohawk Valley Company was formed by the railroad to manage these new acquisitions. New York State Railways was formed in 1909 when the properties controlled by the Mohawk Valley Company were merged. In 1912 it added the Rochester and Suburban Railway, the Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway, the Oneida Railway, and the Utica and Mohawk Valley Railway. The New York Central Railroad was interested in acquiring these lines in an effort to control the competition and to gain control of the lucrative electric utility companies that were behind many of these streetcar and interurban railways. Ridership across the system dropped through the 1920s as operating costs continued to rise, coupled with competition from better highways and private automobile use. New York Central sold New York State Railways in 1928 to a consortium led by investor E. L. Phillips, who was looking to gain control of the upstate utilities. Phillips sold his stake to Associated Gas & Electric in 1929, and the new owners allowed the railway bonds to default. New York State Railways entered receivership on December 30, 1929. The company emerged from receivership in 1934, and local operations were sold off to new private operators between 1938 and 1948.
Church is a Buffalo Metro Rail station located in the 300 block of Main Street in the Free Fare Zone, which allows passengers free travel between Erie Canal Harbor and Fountain Plaza. Passengers continuing northbound past Fountain Plaza are required to have proof-of-payment. Church is the closest to the Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center, located two blocks east at Ellicott and North Division Streets.
Lafayette Square is a Buffalo Metro Rail station near City Hall and is near the center of the Buffalo Central Business District at Lafayette Square located in the 400 block of Main Street in the Free Fare Zone, which allows passengers free travel between Erie Canal Harbor station and Fountain Plaza station. Passengers continuing northbound past Fountain Plaza are required to have proof-of-payment. Lafayette Square station is the closest to the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, located one block east at Washington and Clinton Streets. On February 28, 2019, The Buffalo News announced that Evans Bank, which opened its downtown headquarters in the Main-Court Building the previous October, bought the naming rights to the station for nearly $161,000 for five years and nearly $352,000 if extended to 10 years.
Amherst Street is a Buffalo Metro Rail underground station located at the corner of Main and Amherst Streets. From May 18, 1985 to November 10, 1986, due to construction issues at LaSalle station, Amherst Street station served as the northern terminus. The station has been referenced by rapper Westside Gunn numerous times.
LaSalle is a Buffalo Metro Rail underground station located at the corner of Main Street and LaSalle Avenue and is one stop from the northern terminus. Original drafting plans had the station used as a turnout between the current Metro Rail line and three proposed extensions; the Tonawanda Line, which would extend service into the cities of Tonawanda and Niagara Falls; the North Buffalo Line, which would extend service to Elmwood Avenue on an abandoned railroad right-of-way between Hertel and Kenmore Avenues; and the East Buffalo line, to connect the Main Street line with the proposed Airport Line, carrying passengers to the Buffalo-Niagara International Airport. The only visible sign of the turnout is located below ground by way of partially finished tunnel just west of the LaSalle station platforms. From May 20, 1985 to November 10, 1986, due to construction issues at LaSalle station, Amherst Street station served as the northern terminus. Since November 10, 1986, University station serves as the northern terminus.
University is a Buffalo Metro Rail station located near the intersection of Main Street and Niagara Falls Boulevard on the University at Buffalo South Campus. It is a major transfer point between Metro Rail and many city and suburban bus routes and offers a unique "Kiss and Ride" facility on the top level, above the mezzanine. This allows drivers of automobiles a separate area to drop off passengers, so they do not add to the traffic congestion from buses at the station during rush-hour periods and a large park-and-ride facility directly to the east of the station. Since University station serves as a terminal, immediately south is a double crossover. From May 20, 1985 to November 10, 1986, due to construction issues at LaSalle station, Amherst Street station served as the northern terminus. Since November 10, 1986, University station has served as the northern terminus.
New York State Route 384 (NY 384) is a state highway in Western New York in the United States. It is a north–south route extending from the city of Buffalo, Erie County to the city of Niagara Falls, Niagara County, and is one of several routes directly connecting the two cities. The southern terminus of the route is at NY 5 in downtown Buffalo. NY 384's northern terminus is at the Rainbow Bridge in downtown Niagara Falls. Through its entire course in Erie County, it is known as Delaware Avenue for the street it follows in the city. In Niagara County, NY 384 follows the Niagara River and is named River Road and Buffalo Avenue.
Since the Buffalo Metro Rail light rail was proposed in the 1970s, there have been multiple proposals for expanding the system, which is currently a single 6.4-mile (10.3 km) long line. Public officials, agencies and advocacy groups have created plans, with the most recent and formidable being an extension to the town of Amherst. One organization, the Citizens Regional Transportation Corporation (CRTC), promotes the implementation and expansions of light-rail service for the City of Buffalo and the surrounding Buffalo/Niagara region in New York State.
The International Railway Company (IRC) was a transportation company formed in a 1902 merger between several Buffalo-area interurban and street railways. The city railways that merged were the West Side Street Railway, the Crosstown Street Railway and the Buffalo Traction Company. The suburban railroads that merged included the Buffalo & Niagara Electric Street Railway, and its subsidiary the Buffalo, Lockport & Olcott Beach Railway; the Buffalo, Depew & Lancaster Railway; and the Niagara Falls Park & River Railway. Later the IRC acquired the Niagara Gorge Railroad (NGRR) as a subsidiary, which was sold in 1924 to the Niagara Falls Power Company. The NGRR also leased the Lewiston & Youngstown Frontier Railroad.
The Third Avenue Railway System (TARS), founded 1852, was a streetcar system serving the New York City boroughs of Manhattan and the Bronx along with lower Westchester County. For a brief period of time, TARS also operated the Steinway Lines in Long Island City.
The Buffalo Metropolitan Transportation Center is located on the southeast corner of North Division and Ellicott Streets in Downtown Buffalo, New York. The transportation center is open 24 hours daily.
Duboce and Church is a light rail stop on the Muni Metro J Church and N Judah lines, located in the Duboce Triangle neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Just east of the station, the two lines enter the Market Street subway. The stop originally opened with the 22 Fillmore line in 1895.
5 or the 5 Car was a streetcar line operated by the Los Angeles Railway, later named the Los Angeles Transit Lines, and by the Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority. From 1920 to 1932, this route was known as the E Car. This was changed as part of a method to distinguish routes that lacked loops at their termini. Consequently, the 5 Car was unique during the LAMTA era in that it did not use PCC streetcars. It used buses from 1955 to 1964, transferring from LATL in 1958, then splitting the line in two in 1961, until all lines were turned over to SCRTD in August 1964.
7 was a streetcar line in Los Angeles, California. The service was operated by the Los Angeles Railway from 1932 to 1955. It ran from Spring and 2nd Streets to Athens and 116th Street, by way of Spring Street, Main Street, Broadway Place, Broadway, and Athens Way. During its Los Angeles Transit Lines days, around 1950 to 1955, Line 7 was rerouted off South Broadway to Central Avenue, at least as far north as 7th Street across Olympic Boulevard to possibly Vernon Avenue, covering trackage that was abandoned rail by line U, when that line was converted to trolley bus August 3, 1947.
F was a streetcar line in Los Angeles, California. It was operated by the Los Angeles Railway from 1911 to 1955.
Transportation in Buffalo, New York is dominated by automobile use, but other modes of transportation exist in the city.