Amherst Street station

Amherst Street is a Buffalo Metro Rail underground station located at the corner of Main and Amherst Streets. From May 18, 1985 to November 10, 1986, due to construction issues at LaSalle station, Amherst Street station served as the northern terminus. The station has been referenced by rapper Westside Gunn numerous times.

Amherst Street
Amherst Street station viewed from southwest corner of Main and Amherst Streets in July 2019
General information
Location2666 Main Street
Buffalo, New York
Coordinates42°56′24″N 78°50′19″W / 42.940039°N 78.838677°W / 42.940039; -78.838677
Owned byNFTA
Platforms1 island platform
Tracks2
Construction
Structure typeUnderground
Depth40 feet (12 m)
Other information
Fare zonePaid fare
History
OpenedMay 18, 1985; 39 years ago (1985-05-18)[1]
Passengers
2017332,316[2]
Services
Preceding station NFTA Following station
Humboldt–Hospital Metro Rail LaSalle
toward University
Location
Map

Bus connections

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Located on a triangular tract of land bounded by Main Street to the east, Amherst Street to the north and Parker Avenue to the west, Amherst Street is one of four stations that does not offer an off-road bus loop, requiring passengers to board/debark using curbside stops (the other three being Humboldt-Hospital, Summer-Best and Allen/Medical Campus). When the station opened in May 1985, bus routes were modified to stop on one of the three sides of the station. Route 23 buses heading toward Bailey/Abbott Loop and route 32 buses heading towards Black Rock/Riverside Transit Hub do not board at the curb on the same side as the station, which is served by three bus routes:

  • 8 Main
  • 23 Fillmore-Hertel
  • 32 Amherst

Artwork

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In 1979, an art selection committee was created, composed of NFTA commissioners and Buffalo area art experts, that would judge the artwork that would be displayed in and on the properties of eight stations on the Metro Rail line. Out of the 70 proposals submitted, 22 were chosen and are currently positioned inside and outside of the eight underground stations.[3] Amherst station is home of three pieces of work, from Aleksandra Kasuba (New York City), Ray Hassard (Buffalo) and Robert Lawrance Lobe (New York City).

Notable places nearby

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Amherst Street station's outbound platform in April 2024
 
A light rail vehicle preparing to depart for Erie Canal Harbor station

Amherst Street Station is near:

References

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  1. ^ McPhillips, Jody (May 19, 1985). "Future of Buffalo's Downtown Rides on City's New Subway". Democrat and Chronicle. Rochester, New York. pp. 1B, 4B. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ "Metro Rail Expansion Project Final Scoping Document" (PDF). May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
  3. ^ Buffalo Art in Transit, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, c. 1986.
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