BUFFALO, N.Y. — Volunteers are taking to the streets of Buffalo to help clear bus stops and the sidewalks near them.

What You Need To Know

  • Volunteers are shoveling out bus stops as part of Transit Equity Week

  • It is up to business owners and residents to clear bus stops and sidewalks near them, as well as fire hydrants.
  • Those hitting the streets are calling for a change to that rule.

“You would be surprised, the number of persons, including people in cars, that have stopped to not only say, ‘good job’ but to say, ‘if it weren’t for fill-in-the-blank I would be out there alongside you.’ So it’s a very much needed effort,” said Sherry Sherrill of We are Women Warriors.

The organization is teaming up with Buffalo Transit Riders United, the Coalition for Economic Justice and the Buffalo Mutual Aid Network this Transit Equity Week to shovel bus stops. The week ends on Feb. 4, which is Rosa Parks’ birthday.

As it stands, it is up to nearby residents and businesses to clear bus stops and sidewalks, not the Niagara Frontier Transit Authority or the city.

NFTA officials said in a statement:

"We appreciate the efforts of volunteers who help clear the snow in and around bus shelters. Every year, BTRU assists our community in encouraging property owner to be good neighbors and shovel their walk in their neighborhoods. This serves to remind our community that snow removal, including shelters is the responsibility of the property owner. Clear walks helps us to have a truly walkable community and better transit access for all."

Some, like Sherrill, are pushing for the city to adopt a new law that would pass responsibility off to another entity.