CRT Public Comments in support of UB/Amherst Metro Rail Extension

CRT Public Comments

NFTA Metro Transit

19 August 2025

My name is Douglas Funke. I am a 45-year Amherst resident (Willowridge area) and the President of Citizens for Regional Transit, a nonprofit transit advocacy organization.

We strongly support this project and the light rail transit (LRT) alternative, which we believe is the only one that meets the project objectives, especially:

  • “Providing attractive high-quality transit service.”
  • “Mitigating growth of traffic congestion ...”
  • “Supporting sustainable economic growth ...”
  • “Minimizing adverse community and environmental impacts.”

Here’s why the bus rapid transit (BRT) alternative fails to meet objectives.

  • BRT retains the transit barrier at University Station. Riders must exit high-capacity trains (hundreds per train), go to street level and wait for the next 60-person bus.
  • BRT buses will operate in mixed traffic on Main and Kenmore, degrading speed and reliability.
  • Articulated buses can have trouble in snow. Just ask Toronto.
  • BRT will attract fewer riders pushing more people to drive – more congestion and disease-causing pollution.

Here’s why LRT is the best (and only viable) choice.

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