The purpose of this page is to provide a short summary of important events in a timeline format regarding the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority of Buffalo, New York.
6: New route 80-ECC Shuttle created as a tri-campus circulator between North, City and South Campuses. All trips from North to South and vice versa, operate via City Campus.
1999
2000
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority purchased twenty-one Nova Bus series LFS buses, debuting the first low-floor entry buses. The buses also debut a new logo and livery (referred to as "the wave", replacing the early 1980's era earth tone logo/livery.
2001
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority makes their first Gillig purchase, in their Advantage (T-40) series. A total of forty-one buses were purchased from this Hayward, California bus manufacturer.
September
2: Fall schedules implemented, included Routes 43 Mall Shuttle and 82 Outer Harbor Shuttle being discontinued. Route 41 Sheridan-Harlem planned to be eliminated, but is retained.
23: Route 6-Sycamore extends some trips to The Green Fields health care center on Broadway in Lancaster.
2002
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority makes their second Gillig purchase, in their Advantage (T-40) series. A total of forty-two buses were purchased from this Hayward, California bus manufacturer.
In addition to the Gillig purchase, the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority also purchased five trolley replica buses, the first of their type for the NFTA. The five coaches were the Cable Car Classics brand, and were intended to be used almost exclusively in Niagara Falls on their new trolley services in Downtown Niagara Falls and along Pine Avenue. The trolleys were painted a green color with golden-colored trim. Inside the bus, wood bench seating was provided, in addition to a trolley bell, announcing the arrival and departure of the bus. During non-tourist oriented times, buses may be used on route 20-Elmwood, or used for special events such as parades.
March
25: Spring schedules take effect, including two new Hublink routes; 200-North Tonawanda and 201-Lockport Shuttle. Shuttle buses are smaller cutaway vans, primarily scheduled during early morning and late afternoon time periods.
June
17: Summer schedules take effect; notable changes include extension of route 76-Lotus Bay to Seneca Bingo in Irving on five round-trips weekdays.
Changing the outbound route 3-Grant terminal to Frontier Station, from Seabrook Loop on all trips.
Changing the routing on route 6-Sycamore to operate over Washington and Scott, instead of Swan and Erie inbound, and Erie, Seneca outbound.
Movement of route 7-Baynes-Richmond to Amtrak-Exchage Street from Swan & Franklin.
December
23: Winter timetables have minor adjustments made to routes; route 23-Fillmore-Hertel extends to Bailey and Abbott permanently instead of South Park and Lee.
2003
2004
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority makes their third Gillig purchase, in their Advantage (T-29) series. A total of twenty-two buses were purchased from this Hayward, California bus manufacturer.
July
1: The new NFTA Metrolink shuttle (route 202) is inaugurated between Auditorium Station and a satellite parking lot on Scott Street and Michigan Avenue, replacing temporary shuttle service previously offered by Coach USA.
2005
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority makes their fourth Gillig purchase, in their Advantage (T-40) series. A total of fifteen buses were purchased from this Hayward, California bus manufacturer.
March
27: The NFTA opens the Portage Road Transit Center, a temporary terminal for all of Niagara County bus routes, until a terminal is built in LaSalle township. The NFTA, later, made a decision to make it a permanent facility for passengers bound for Downtown Niagara Falls.
2006
The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority makes their fifth Gillig purchase, in their Advantage (T-40 Hybrid) series. A total of thirty buses were purchased from this Hayward, California bus manufacturer. This marks the purchase of diesel-electric buses by the NFTA.
