PEOPLE MOVER: Details coming on NU study

<!--Mark Scheer--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Mark Scheer</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com">mark.scheer@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>

The details of a Niagara University study on the development of a tourist-centered trolley system in Niagara County are expected to be released next week.

Legislator John Ceretto, R-Lewiston, said the analysis of the trolley concept has been completed and he expects to be able to make copies of the findings available to lawmakers and the public during Tuesday’s Legislature meeting.

Ceretto, who helped secure $2,500 in county casino cash to support the study, said Monday he could not comment on any specific findings because he has not yet had a chance to review them.

Ceretto said he’s hopeful release of the document will continue to spur interest in putting a trolley system in place for visitors to the area.

“It’s about economic development,” Ceretto said. “We have to do a better job of bringing people to this area and once they are here we need to transport them around.”

Ceretto has been working on the so-called “Explore Niagara” project since last year. He envisions the proposed people mover as a way of allowing tourists stopping in Niagara Falls to quickly and conveniently visit other parts of the county, including the village and town of Lewiston. The project has involved officials from Lewiston, the Village of Youngstown, the Town of Porter, as well as the Niagara Tourism Convention Corp. and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority. NU students working with university professor William Angus were brought in to analyze various trolley scenarios.

Angus said the final version of the study grew out of work performed by several groups of students, some of whom considered how such a trolley system could operate and others who examined the financial aspects of such a project.

In their final report, Angus said the students concluded Niagara County should pursue development of a trolley under a five-year plan. Angus said the students also recommended the trolley be created with the help of private partners and with as many options for generating revenue as possible to avoid a high level of subsidy from taxpayers.

Angus said the final study includes information on several different routes, including connections between the Falls and Lewiston, the Falls and Lockport and the possibility of one route that would follow along the county’s wine trail. He added study findings are not dependent upon the Robert Moses Parkway, a source of concern that has been raised by advocates for the removal of the controversial roadway.

Angus said those involved in the project have been approached by at least two private companies that would be interested in getting involved in the trolley’s development. Angus believes the project makes sense for the county as it would help lengthen the stay of visitors to the Falls by providing them with a way to visit other attractions throughout the county.

“If they can manage to do it in London and New York and Hawaii and the Grand Canyon, there’s no reason why we can’t do it here?” Angus said.