By Jeff Rost

Buffalo State College students are getting free shuttles to the nearby grocery stores of Tops Market LLC. and Wegmans these days.

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority provides students with the Grant Street Circulator, Route 208. The metrolink circulates around the campus with the intent of transporting students to the nearby Tops and/ or Wegmans. Shuttle times and a route map can be seen at:
• http://www.nfta.com/metro/route_208.asp
• http://www.nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/208.pdf

On weekdays the circulator doesn’t begin until 6 p.m. For those who wish to shop earlier, an NFTA customer service representative says the NFTA offers an alternative route for students. He advises students to take Route 32, Amherst. Route times and map can be seen at:
• http://nfta.com/metro/route_032.asp
• http://nfta.com/metro/schedules_pdfs/32.pdf

The Buffalo State University Police Department also offer a shuttle service. The service travels to the Tops on Grant Street. Donald M. Agen, investigator/ university police student assistants (UPSA) supervisor, says the reason the service exists is to accommodate those students who work at that Tops. Any student, though, is allowed to use the service during its scheduled hours. Shuttle service times can be seen at:
• http://www.buffalostate.edu/offices/police/services/default.asp?sub=tsv

In talking with various students on campus, the majority appreciate the fact such a service exists.

“I think it’s a good thing. It allows students who live on campus more freedom,” said Brian King.

Prospective student Steve Dillsworth believes he would use the service quite often.

“Being able to go the grocery store makes it so that you are not bound to on-campus foods. It gives you more options instead of eating the same foods constantly,” he said.

Erie Community College student Tony Fininzio wishes that such a program exists between the NFTA and ECC South Campus. Fininzio, who has a break before a night class, sees having a circulator like the one at Buffalo State as a perfect way to catch a bite to eat.

“I don’t care for the cafeteria foods, and I hate to waste gas just to get food or go home. Having a free method of transportation to get the food I enjoy at a grocery store would be great,” says Fininzio.

Students who don’t already have the Metro-Buffalo State Student Transit Pass can obtain one by going to the E.H Butler Library. The pass is free.

Contact Jeff Rost at: rostjw06@mail.buffalostate.edu