Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority - NFTA Metro Division - Corporate Identity - Coloring and Print Media

Coloring and Print Media

The current color scheme (navy, grey and burgundy) first appeared on the 2000 series (Nova Bus LFS) coaches in early 2001. The color scheme met with approval on most sides. According to a past Buffalo News article, the colors and logo were chosen to link the area's "water" image with the company. The force of the Niagara River, and Niagara Falls contribute to the idea of the "wave" design that was chosen.

With the arrival of the 6000 series GMC RTS-04 buses in 1984, the NFTA's Metro system operated its vehicles using a color scheme of brown, yellow and orange, referred to as "earth tone" or "candy corn". This color scheme is easiest to recognize at present on many of the Nova Bus "Classic" series coaches. As of 2011, this color scheme can now be found on only a handful of buses, as most of the buses featuring it have been either been re-painted in the new color scheme or retired. Alternatively, many of the Metro Rail trains still have retained the old color scheme. It has been expected that the remaining rail cars will be painted in the newer livery during their mid-life overhaul being performed.

Previous to 1984, the Niagara Frontier Transit Metro System had painted their fleet with a yellow and black scheme (during the 1970s), and maintained the red and cream color scheme used by the Niagara Frontier Transit System (1950-1960s). The International Railway Company, the predecessor to the Niagara Frontier Transportation System used either an orange and cream, or forest green and vermilion scheme for their vehicles.

The NFTA used a circular logo during the 1970s for the parent corporation, showing a nested combination of a bus, airplane, and ship. For the NFTA Metro system, a simple typeface, similar to blippo spelled out "metro bus". Towards the end of the 1990s a modified "M" in the same typeface, except with a "swoosh" style to the left of the letter. In 2000, the NFTA replaced its logo type with one similar to "Impact" in the italicized version. This style is present on all NFTA correspondence, including the NFTA Metro Bus and Rail system, the Buffalo Niagara International Airport, the Niagara Falls International Airport, the NFTA Small Boat Harbor among others.