LEWISTON — A new shuttle service, designed to move tourists — and residents — along the western edge of Niagara County, will begin operation on Thursday.
The “Discover Niagara” shuttle will make a 14-stop, 14-mile trek from Niagara Falls to Fort Niagara several times per day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m. Actually with four shuttles in constant operation, it is expected that a shuttle will stop at each of the 14 locations approximately every 35 minutes.
A smattering of elected officials and government representatives were on hand for a press conference and inaugural run of the shuttle on Friday, including Congressman Brian Higgins, State Sen. Rob Ortt, Assemblyman John Ceretto, Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster and others. Each had their own verbiage for crowing about the new service, but Angela Berti — representing the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation — summed it up in two words: “game changer.”
Assemblyman Ceretto called the shuttle a “major development,” which will allow “visitors from around the world to stay longer, and experience everything our region has to offer.”
Mayor Dyster added that the long-awaited service is a sign of a change of thinking locally to a more regional approach to tourism. “There was this feeling in Niagara Falls and I think maybe some of these other areas that if someone spent a dollar in Lewiston, that was a dollar somehow lost to the economy of Niagara Falls. But that’s not the case. We work best when we work as a region.” (video below)
State Sen. Ortt also noted that projects like the shuttle are an indication that there are matters which elected officials work across party lines for the betterment of the area — although it may take time. The shuttle was in planning and development stages for more than a decade.
“It was the committment of elected leaders, community leaders and (Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Executive Director) Sara (Capen) to see this project a reality to redefine Niagara County, enhance the tourist experience and make Niagara, Niagara Falls, Niagara County a better tourist destination.” (video below)
U.S. Rep Brian Higgins said the shuttle’s route fits in perfectly with the overall Buffalo-Niagara plan to reconnect this community to the waterfront. “This community, for 50 years was denied access, visibility, to arguably the greatest waterfront in the world.” He added that the region’s best days are “immediately ahead of us,” saying the next 36 months will provide a catalyst for decades to come. (video below)
Now tourists and residents alike will be able to take in the waterfront Higgins mentioned along the free shuttle tour, stopping along the way at eight spots in Niagara Falls, four in Lewiston and two in Youngstown. Stops include:
- Old Main Street, Niagara Falls — with connection to NFTA’s Route 55
- Niagara USA Official Visitor Center
- 3rd and Old Falls streets
- Niagara Arts and Cultural Center
- Aquarium of Niagara
- Niagara Gorge Discovery Center
- Niagara Falls Train Station
- Whirlpool State Park
- Niagara University’s Castellani Art Museum
- Niagara Power Project Power Vista
- Center Street, Lewiston
- Lewiston waterfront
- Youngstown business district
- Old Fort Niagara
The shuttle is funded by the New York Power Authority, New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, Niagara Tourism and Convention Corporation, and Niagara University. The budget for the two-year pilot program is $1.2 million.
Capen said there had been discussions in the planning stages of branching the shuttle eastward towards both Lockport and North Tonawanda. She said she hopes to re-address adding routes to both destinations after the conclusion of the pilot program.
The service is comprised of two trolleys and two smaller buses, all equipped with bike racks and free Wi-Fi. While it is free to ride, tickets must be presented to the driver. They can be downloaded at www.discoverniagara.org or are available at most of the stops and several Niagara Falls-area hotels.
Additionally, a free app, “Discover Niagara,” shares the history and culture along the shuttle route. A second app allows guests to view the location of the shuttle. Both apps are available for Android and iOS devices.
RELATED LINKS:
- Photo album of press conference and inaugural shuttle tour
- Nominate a local tourist attraction as WNY’s best
