Citizens Regional Transit Corporation - Overview

Overview

The CRTC has recommended construction of the its proposed "Airport Corridor" and proposed "Tonawandas Corridor". The two proposals mentioned are a small part of the massive multi-line system, with proposals to go as far south as Hamburg and Orchard Park, as far east as Lancaster and as far north as Niagara Falls, New York. Many of the proposed extensions would be built on abandoned railroad rights-of-way (ROW), costing a fraction of what it would cost for excavating and creating new underground rail tunnels.

The present day 6.1 mile long Main Line operates as a surface line in Downtown Buffalo on an exclusive transit mall, and underground (like a subway) from the north end of Downtown to the University at Buffalo's South Campus. The CRTC uses the ridership on the Main Line to support its proposals for rail extensions. Early 2008 ridership levels showed double-digit increases in weekday ridership levels, partially contributed to higher fuel costs, and is breathing new life in the CRTC’s campaign for extensions to the current rail network.

Three primary corridors are proposed, in addition to the current Main Line, with service to the north, east and south of the city. With these three corridors proposed, up to ten branches are also proposed, further penetrating the heaviest populated and heaviest travelled areas.

In this article, the service is referred to in certain terms for consistency and clarity:

• "Corridor" refers to primary and secondary lines.
• "Line" refers to primary or trunk line of each corridor.
• "Branch" or "spur" refers to secondary lines that may "branch" off of the primary, or trunk line.