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Expand Metro NOW

Expand Metro NOW. The airport corridor and why it can work. Draft Version: August 9, 2007 NOT READY TO PRESENT. Forces Behind Expansion. Rising fuel cost for automobiles Increasing public demand for mass transit Future downtown development Public policy support for mass transit

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Expand Metro NOW

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  1. Expand Metro NOW The airport corridor and why it can work. Draft Version: August 9, 2007 NOT READY TO PRESENT

  2. Forces Behind Expansion • Rising fuel cost for automobiles • Increasing public demand for mass transit • Future downtown development • Public policy support for mass transit • Growth opportunities along metro corridors • Possible funding opportunities

  3. Rising Fuel Costs The cost of gasoline continues to rise throughout the country. In the Buffalo-Niagara region gasoline prices have risen over 25% compared to last years record prices (1.1; 2.1). According to the Energy Information Association “higher energy prices can become a drag on the overall economy” as more funds are diverted from disposable income to meet energy consumption demands (1.2).

  4. Increasing Public Demand • For the first five months of the year, combined ridership on metro rail and bus increased 5.12 percent to 10.18 million riders from 9.68 million in the corresponding period of 2005 (2.2). • Metro rail ridership in that period leaped 16.7 percent, the fifth-best increase in the nation (2.2). • In the month of May, ridership jumped 10.5 percent to just over 2 million passengers using bus and rail services compared to nearly 1.9 million a year earlier (2.2).

  5. Potential Through Downtown Development • As people begin to use Downtown Buffalo as the ‘Hub’ of the region, demand for public transportation should increase. Future downtown development has the potential to increase the overall ridership of Metro Rail. Potential developments downtown include: • Buffalo Creek Casino • Bass Pro Outdoor World Retail Store • New Era Corporate Headquarters • BlueCross/BlueShield of WNY Corporate Headquarters • ECC Downtown Campus • Inner Harbor Development • Increased pace of development for downtown living space • NCAA/Other Downtown Events

  6. Public Support for Mass Transit When NYS Assembly Majority Leader Joseph Bruno stated that he supports Light rail expansion in the Albany region he specifically cited the importance of linking those assets to airport and rail corridors within the area. In a conference call to reporters he claimed “Light rail ... is the most economical and efficient way in moving people.” With a study being publicly supported in the Albany area, it is reasonable to assume the same level of support should/will be given to efforts to strengthen and expand the service already in this region (3.1). In addition, Rochester is considering the development of light rail. With many communities now backing light rail expansion, it is important to position Buffalo as a community with goals of expanding its already existing mass transit system (4.1).

  7. Potential for Future Development • By investing in a light rail corridor, you increase the chance of economic growth in adjacent areas to the corridor. Several locations could see a dramatic economic boost from an airport corridor. Specific ‘landmarks’ that could benefit from economic development include: • The now vacant Central Terminal. This unique landmark could see new life with easy access. For example, it could serve as a regional visitors center which welcomes people to the Buffalo Niagara region or could be redeveloped as a domed football stadium. • The Broadway Market could benefit from the increased accessibility, as it lies along what would become a major commuter route. As the oldest indoor market in the United States, it could also become a part of the “tourist” fabric within the community.

  8. Providing Infrastructure to Promote Regional Tourism As the Buffalo-Niagara Region transitions from a manufacturing hub to a potential tourist destination we need to reinvent the way we choose to treat visitors. By offering tourists easy access to our many attractions, we give consumers choices that are easy and that benefit our region as a whole. Metro Rail Expansion will give is the following opportunities: • Create infrastructure that will not only help our local population, but help tourists reach many of our institutions. • Give tourists information points that are easy to find, offer additional possibilities, and provide easy access to their suggested leisure choices. • Capture outside revenue that currently sits inside the expanding Buffalo Niagara International Airport by providing layover customers an opportunity to visit downtown. • Create pass systems which provide “all in one” solutions through metro rail. Visitors will obtain a pass to local attractions, metro services and possibly hotel/special events in one easy package. Imagine NCAA visitors being offered a hotel, tickets to the tournament and local attractions (such as our cultural institutions), airfare and a pass to use metro services so they can reach all of those destinations easily!

  9. Funding Ideas • Instead of using the Buffalo Creek Casino money to prop up structurally weak institutions, attempt to boost funding to them by generating infrastructure which makes these sites more attractive to casual visitors. A “city-pass” system which includes metro-rail passes would boost ridership revenue and overall funds to culturals through overall volume increases in sales through these new vouchers. • Funding matches from the state and federal government on our casino revenue investment into the metro-rail will increase casino “catch” by brining in additional dollars from state and federal entities. This additional ‘catch’ money would not be made available if we sunk our casino revenue into our cultural institutions directly. • By offering metro-rail as a solution for visitors, it increases the likelihood that casino revenue will actually be generated by tourists, rather than local gamblers. Outside dollars captured and brought into the city will invigorate the city much faster than proxy support to culturals through lump sum payments. These institutions need infrastructure from the government that makes them viable, not a handout.

  10. Bibliography • Energy Information Administration • http://www.eia.doe.gov/oil_gas/petroleum/data_publications/wrgp/mogas_home_page.html • http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/economy/energy_price.html • Buffalo Buisness First Journal • http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/07/17/daily4.html • http://buffalo.bizjournals.com/buffalo/stories/2006/07/17/daily26.html • CRTC • http://www.citizenstransit.org/news/CRTC_2_pg_NEWSLETTR_7_06.pdf • Democrat and Chronicle • http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060809/NEWS01/608090344

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