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Reduced Fares

What Is The Reduced Fare Program?

The Federal Government requires that a reduced fare policy be in effect for senior citizens and people with disabilities during our off-peak hours. Off-peak hours are 9AM to 3PM and after 6PM on weekdays and all day on weekends and holidays. The NFTA has expanded the half fare program to be in effect throughout the day.

Who Qualifies for Reduced Fare?

You must be at least 65 years old, have a disability, or be part of the Community Care program through Erie or Niagara County to receive the NFTA-Metro Reduced Fare card. The fee for the card is $2. The Reduced-Fare card may be used on any NFTA regular route service. It is not valid on PAL service.

How To Obtain A Card If You Are Disabled

The Federal Transit Administration defines “persons with disabilities” for purposes of the Reduced-Fare program. Metro’s Reduced Fare Program for Persons with Disabilities provides reduced-fare transportation for persons with the following disabilities:

  • Receiving Medicare benefits for any reason
  • Serious mental illness (SMI) and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits
  • Blindness
  • Hearing impairment
  • Ambulatory disability
  • Loss of both hands
  • Intellectual disability and/or other organic mental capacity impairment

In addition, persons may be certified as eligible for a Reduced Fare card by Erie County or Niagara County as part of the Community Care program. This program offers reduced fare passes to families receiving childcare assistance through the New York State Child Care Block Grant Program Categories 2 and 3 (Child Care Subsidy Program).

To be considered for the NFTA’s Reduced Fare Program, please fill out the Reduced Fare Application:

Download File

Submit the completed application in its entirety to:

NFTA-Metro Reduced-Fare Program
181 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

When you get on the bus, tap your reduced-fare card. If your card has value or a pass, your card will serve as your payment. If it does not, insert a dollar into the farebox. When you are using the rail, you must have money or a pass loaded onto your reduced fare card to ride. Tap your reduced fare card on the fare gate to get in and out of the station

Reduced Fare Photos

NFTA-Metro takes photos for reduced fare cards in Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

Portage Road Transportation Center

1124 Portage Road, Niagara Falls, NY. By appointment only - please call (716) 855-6611.

Metropolitan Transportation Center

181 Ellicott Street, Buffalo NY. Monday to Friday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Inquiries

For general information or questions about the Reduced Fare Program, please call the Reduced Fare Information Line at (716) 855-6611 | TTY / relay 711 or (800) 662-1220.

If you have questions about the program, contact:

Reduced Fare Program
181 Ellicott Street
Buffalo, NY 14203

Phone: (716) 855-6611

TTY/Relay: 711

Or: (800) 662-1220