Badly Needed Light Rail Funding to the Rescue in Buffalo

"The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority is in line for a $100 million state aid boost over the next five years to use for major infrastructure improvements on its deteriorating Metro Rail system," reports Tom Precious.

The funding comes from an agreement between New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and state legislators. "It is not expected to be approved in the 2019 state budget lawmakers are rushing to try to wrap up on Sunday, but officials said they expect a final statewide capital plan — including the NFTA funding — to be approved in this legislative session," according to Precious.

State Senator Tim Kennedy (D-Buffalo) was the driving force behind the agreement, according to Precious. Kennedy is quoted in the article describing the 'years of disinvestment' that has reduced service and performance on the Buffalo Metro Rail light rail system.