Welcome to NFTA-Metro!

NFTA-Metro (Metro) is the public transportation provider for Western New York, serving both Erie and Niagara County with an integrated network of buses, light rail, and paratransit.

Planning Your Trip

To plan your trip, you can use a few different methods.

  • Each Metro bus route has its own schedule, with timetables for weekday, Saturday, and Sunday/holiday service times. To plan your trip with a bus route schedule, simply find the time point nearest to your stop, and plan from there. Metro bus and rail schedules are available as paper copies on Metro vehicles and in Metro stations, as well as online.
  • Several apps and web services offer automated trip planning, including Google Transit, Moovit, and Transit App. All you need to do is enter the starting and ending points of your trip, and what day and time you would like to arrive or depart.
  • If you need assistance, contact NFTA-Metro Customer Care at (716) 855-7211, with specialists available from 6AM to 6PM, Monday through Friday. You can also visit our Customer Care Center at the Metropolitan Transportation Center at 181 Ellicott Street in downtown Buffalo, open 7AM to 5PM, Monday through Friday.

Paying Your Fare

  • Standard fare is $2.00 per ride, on both bus and rail. There are many ways to pay:
    • MetGo offers the most convenient way to pay your fare on Metro bus and rail. MetGo gives you the option of flexibility, as you can use MetGo by either:
      • Buying a physical MetGo card, which costs $2 plus fare and can be purchased and reloaded at our ticket vending machines and our customer service center at 181 Ellicott Street; or
      • Downloading the MetGo app on your mobile device, which can be used to pay your fare, check your balance, and reload your MetGo account.
    • The Token Transit mobile application may also be used to pay fares or purchase tickets, which can be used immediately or stored for future trips.
    • Limited-Use Passes are purchasable at ticket vending machines located in all Metro Rail stations.
    • Cash fare is still accepted, payable by exact change to your bus driver.
    • For more information on MetGo and fare payment, please visit our MetGo website or reach out to NFTA-Metro Customer Care by phone at (716) 855-7211 or by email at info@nfta.com.
  • Qualifying individuals (seniors 65 and older, persons with disabilities, members of the Community Care program through Erie or Niagara County) may be eligible for reduced fares. For more information, check out our Reduced Fare Application page or reach out to NFTA-Metro Customer Care at 716-855-7211.

Taking the Metro Bus


NFTA Metro Bus stop sign

Boarding the Bus
  • To ride the NFTA Metro bus, first find your closest bus stop, indicated by a three-colored sign.
  • When the bus approaches your stop, be sure to stand close to the sign to make sure the driver knows you’re waiting. When you see the bus coming, give the driver a friendly wave so they know you’re waiting.
  • Look for your route number on the lighted display on the front or side of the bus. If you are not sure it is the right bus, ask the driver to confirm.
  • When waiting at a bus stop, be sure to stand far enough away from oncoming traffic and allow passengers to exit the bus before boarding.
Paying Your Fare
  • Please have your fare ready when you board the bus to keep things running smoothly. The fare box is located next to the driver.
    • For MetGo cards and passes, simply tap the pass to the sensor on the top of the farebox.
    • For MetGo and Token Transit app users, hold your phone screen to the scanner on the front of the farebox until it beeps.
    • For cash fares, use the coin and paper currency slots. You must have the exact fare when you board, as bus drivers cannot make change.
Riding the Bus
  • Once you have paid your fare, take a seat if one is available. If all seats are full, poles and straps are available to make it easier to stand while riding. Move as close to the back as possible to provide room for passengers to get on.
  • Buses announce when they are approaching all stops. When your stop is near, pull the stop cord to signal the driver. If you're uncertain about your stop location, ask the driver.
  • Exit after the bus comes to a complete stop, using the rear doors.
Emergency Procedures
  • On a Metro bus, follow these simple steps for a safe evacuation:
    • Wait for instructions and assistance from your bus driver.
    • Exit the bus in an orderly fashion using the doors or, if necessary, the emergency windows and roof hatches.
    • Please provide assistance to anyone with special needs, if possible.
    • After exiting the vehicle, please stand clear of the bus and wait for emergency services to arrive.

Taking the Metro Rail

Getting on the Rail

  • Metro Rail operates seven days a week, serving eight underground stations and five above-ground stations from University Station in North Buffalo at UB South Campus to Canalside Station in downtown Buffalo.
  • Metro Rail service is free at all above-ground stations. Before entering an underground station, riders must purchase a pass or load money onto a MetGo card from a ticket vending machine and tap in and out at the faregates.
Riding the Rail
  • After entering a Metro Rail station or platform, choose the boarding platform that offers the direction you want. Trains boarding from the INBOUND TO CANALSIDE platform head downtown. Trains boarding from the OUTBOUND TO UNIVERSITY platform head north, away from downtown.
  • Elevated platforms with handrails are available at each above-ground station, accessible from the frontmost door of the front rail car. If you are riding from underground to above-ground and using a wheelchair or mobility device, take care to board the frontmost car.
  • After boarding the train, please take a seat. If there are no seats available, be sure to stand away from the doors and hold onto a pole or overhead strap.
  • Trains stop at each station. Watch for signs on the platform and listen for the announcements for your rail stop.
  • Should the train be single-tracking, follow the schedule posted on the metro website and look for signs at each station indicating which platform to board at.
Emergency Procedures
  • In the event of an emergency, remain calm and follow the steps:
    • Wait for instructions and assistance from your rail operator.
    • If you receive no instruction from the operator, pull the release lever located on the right-hand side of the door. After you hear escaping air, you will be able to slide the door open.
    • Step onto the Emergency Evacuation Platform and exit to the nearest station, using the handrail for support and walking close against the wall. Do not cross over to the parallel tracks.
    • Listen for announcements - the public address system may be used to provide you with additional instructions.
  • In the event that an elevator has become inoperable, use the “Call for Aid” panel by pressing the large red emergency button once, tell the Transit Police officer your location, and explain that the elevator is inoperable.

Airport

NFTA is responsible for two airports: the Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BNIA) along Genesee Street in Cheektowaga, and the Niagara Falls International Airport (NFIA) at 2035 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Niagara Falls.
  • The BNIA is directly served by the Route 24 – Genesee bus. The pick-up and drop-off location for NFTA-Metro buses, as well as rideshare vehicles, commercial buses, and hotel shuttles, is located outside, to the left as you exit the terminal.
  • The NFIA is served by the Route 59 – Niagara Falls Airport/NCCC bus, as well as the seasonal Niagara Falls Trolley service. The pick-up location for NFTA-Metro buses is located outside by the Calspan building, to the left as you exit the terminal.

Ride Nice!

  • To keep things safe, comfortable, and fair when riding NFTA-Metro vehicles, please keep in mind the Code of Conduct, and remember the following:
    • Respect your driver and your fellow riders. Avoid loud, hostile, or physical conduct with others when on Metro vehicles.
    • Smoking and vaping are not allowed on Metro vehicles.
    • Eating and drinking are not allowed on Metro vehicles.
    • Do not litter. Keep Metro vehicles, stations, and shelters clean!
    • Please use headphones with audio devices. If using a phone, please practice proper phone etiquette.
    • Keep purses and bags on your lap or beneath your seat.
    • Fold up strollers and carts, if possible, before you board.
    • Seats in the front of Metro vehicles are reserved for riders with special needs or elderly people. Only sit in them if you must.
    • Service animals are the only animals allowed on Metro vehicles.
    • Security cameras and emergency phones are located in all stations, making Transit Police available at a moment’s notice.

Other Things to Know

  • Rider Alerts are posters displayed in Metro vehicles to notify riders of changes in service. Rider Alerts are also available on our website and can be sent by text or email by subscribing for free to NFTA Instant Updates.
  • Park & Rides are free parking lots located at select locations throughout the Metro service area. Using a Park & Ride is simple: Park your car, board your Metro bus or the rail, and pay your fare. Nothing else is required.
  • For Sabres hockey games and select other events downtown, the last train departs Canalside Station 30 minutes after the end of the event. Patrons may call (716) 855-7211 or visit nfta.com to learn if late service will be provided for an event.