The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) announced Metro Rail will operate modified, single track service starting June 24, as work continues to return vehicular traffic to Main Street. the single track rail service is expected to continue for the next two months.
The modified service is made necessary as a result of major improvements being made to the trackbed and track in the theater district. All new track and pre-fabricated concrete panels are being installed starting at the portal, where trains enter and exit the aboveground portion of the rail line to Chippewa Street.
Asa result of the necessity to use the single tracking method, passengers will be requried to transfer from one train to another at the Church Street station in order to continue their trip on the train. During the single tracking, trainswill operate on approximately 20 minute intervals.
During this period of modified serivce, Metro Rail customers with disabilities, including those using a mobility device, need to be aware of special boarding procedures that will be in place during this time.
Inbound from university station, passengers with a mobility device must board the last car if they intend to exit at any of the aboveground stations.Inbound from Church Street or Seneca Street stations, passengers with a mobility device must board the first car.
Outbound from Erie Canal Harbor or Seneca Street stations, passengers using a mobility device must board the last car.
Outboard customers boarding at Church Street, Lafayette or Fountain Plaza stations using a mobility device must board the first car.
To assist customers during this project, Metro will provide special weekday shuttle bus service between downtown and university station via Main Street. The shuttles will operate during peak times of the day, approximately 6:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., and 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Metro Rail and shuttle bus schedules along with informational maps are available on NFTA's website.
The $1.6 million improvement project is being performed by Mark Cerrone Inc.
