More than 8 million tourists visit Niagara Falls each year, but many have a hard time seeing all the area has to offer because of a lack of transportation. Local leaders gathered Friday to announce a new service to help with that. Time Warner Cable News reporter Mike Arena has the details.
LEWISTON, N.Y. -- Local leaders hope to reconnect residents and introduce visitors to attractions all across Niagara County. Friday the Discover Niagara Shuttle Service was unveiled.
The free shuttle service will roll out two full buses and two smaller shuttles. The service will run seasonally from May to October. Tickets will be free and will be available at physical locations on the shuttle route or through the Discover Niagara app.
The shuttle will make stops at Old Main Street, the Niagara USA Official Visitor Center, 3rd and Old Falls Streets, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, the Aquarium of Niagara, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, the Niagara Falls Train Station, Whirlpool State Park, the Castellani Art Museum, the Niagara Power Project Power Vista, Lewiston Center Street, the Lewiston Waterfront, the Village of Youngstown and Old Fort Niagara.
"These connections will broaden the transportation network that visitors will have to the cultural, natural and historic attractions within the national heritage area," said Niagara Falls National Heritage Area executive director, Sara Capen.
"If you stay here in Niagara Falls you can go anywhere in our region specifically you can go to these great destinations," said Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority official, Tom George.
Besides creating a better tourist experience, officials hope the shuttle will increase access to the waterfront.
"This community for 50 years was denied access, visibility to arguably the greatest waterfront in the world," said Congressman Brian Higgsins.
The shuttle will run as a pilot program for the next two years. The $1.1 million cost for that span was funded by state and local groups. The shuttle will be put into service May 26.