AMHERST, N.Y. -- The proposed extension of the NFTA light rail would connect UB's North Campus in Amherst with the growing medical campus downtown.
An area that continues to bring new jobs to the city.
"We expect there's going to be congestion and traffic problems with big cities that we've never experienced in Buffalo, so this metro is going to allow people to leave their cars at home or a parking lot and use public transportation to get to the epicenter of the jobs," said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The extension could also bring people who live in the city to jobs they otherwise might not be able to get.
"This is yet another connection for them if they don't own their own vehicle that they'll have access to the great jobs in Amherst, perhaps Geico. What other cities do is create linkages to get people to the jobs," said Hochul.
A proposed route the extension could take would see trains traveling up Niagara Falls Boulevard. Something the Amherst Chamber of Commerce believes would boost area business.
"I think you'll see lot of retail businesses and even more restaurants pop up to service the people going from point A to point B," said Colleen DiPirro, Amherst Chamber of Commerce president.
The town of Amherst wasn't so quick to endorse the extension, saying the original installation of the Metro down Main Street promised economic growth that didn't pan out.
"Did we see that kind of expansion they're talking about now? Because I don't remember that happening. I think that's something we have to weigh and make sure we don't just buy into inflated promises," said Steven Sanders, Amherst deputy supervisor.
Sanders says the interest from local businesses seems to be there, but anticipates push back from skeptical homeowners."
"Residents are concerned about what happens when you put a light rail under their house or through their front yard," said Sanders.
The NFTA says any proposed designs or routes are just starting off points. Officials say plans for the extension could change based on future environmental impact studies.