BUFFALO, N.Y. -- State Senator Tim Kennedy is the latest local leader calling for Walmart to allow for better bus access in Cheektowaga.
Kennedy wrote a letter to Walmart's CEO demanding the store reconsider its decision not to allow public bus access into the parking lot of its newest location along Walden Avenue. Walmart said last week there's no room to safely run a bus on the property. But officials say forcing customers to cross the busy street to get to the bus stop is a safety hazard.
In 1995, an NFTA passenger was killed while trying to cross Walden to get to the Walden Galleria. After that, the mall changed its policy to allow buses on the property.
"We never want to see a situation like that again. It's essential that individuals that rely on public transportation have easy, safe acsess to the Walmart on Walden Avenue to prevent the horrific instance of someone getting injured or even killed as this has happened in the past," said Kennedy.
Walmart says it is discussing additional options with local officials and the NFTA.