Press Room

Metro to Provide Free Rides on Earth Day

LaSalle Park & Ride Users to Receive Day Pass

Monday April 20, 2009

Buffalo, NY . . . The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority announced today that in recognition of Earth Day, Metro will provide FREE Day passes to people who utilize the LaSalle Park & Ride location Wednesday, April 22.

Earth Day provides people with the perfect opportunity to give public transit a try and as such, help to reduce harmful vehicle emissions, reduces traffic congestion, improve air quality and demonstrate their commitment to ongoing environmental stewardship.

In an effort to stimulate participation in the local Earth Day initiative, Metro will offer a free Day pass to everyone who parks their car (passengers included) in one of the 732 spaces at the LaSalle Park & Ride on Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22. A Day Pass, valued at $4, provides passengers with unlimited rides on Metro Bus and Rail on the day of purchase.

Earth Day provides an ideal opportunity to promote the economic, social and environmental benefits along with the convenience of using Metro. NFTA Commissioner Eunice A. Lewin said, "Park free and ride all day for free, it doesn't get much better than that. The LaSalle location is convenient and with its ample free parking is a great way to reduce commuting costs and harmful emissions whether traveling to work or to enjoy events downtown."

The LaSalle Park & Ride at 3030 Main Street, less than a mile south of Metro's University Station, is the second inbound stop heading downtown. The facility is patrolled by the NFTA Transit police, in addition to having security cameras and external lighting to ensure the safety of its customers.

On-site ticket vending machines provide the opportunity for customers to purchase their one-way or roundtrip rail ticket, as well as being able to buy a Day, Weekend, Monthly or 30-day pass. The machines also sell Paratransit passes for 10 or 20 trips. The machines accept U.S. coins and paper currency in $1, $5, $10 and $20 dominations. MasterCard, Visa and Discover Card can also be used to purchase Metro fare.

The LaSalle facility is ADA compliant with escalators, elevators and handicapped parking available.


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