Discover Niagara Shuttle rolls into fourth season

Submitted

Wed, May 29th 2019 01:15 pm

Free hop-on/hop-off shuttle delivers passengers to 17 destinations from ‘Falls to Fort’

Local leaders gathered Tuesday to kick-off a new season for the Discover Niagara Shuttle. The free, hop-on/hop-off shuttle service first launched in 2016. Today, it takes passengers to 17 destinations along a 14-mile route, which stretches from Niagara Falls to Old Fort Niagara.

Niagara Falls National Heritage Area Executive Director Sara Capen said, "As the summer season kicks off, the Discover Niagara Shuttle continues to be a staple in the tourism economy, extending the stay for visitors by connecting them with Niagara's rich heritage, natural beauty and small businesses, as well as engaging Western New York residents in outdoor recreational activities and leisurely day trips where they can explore the beauty of our very own backyard."

“Connections help communities flourish, and the Discover Niagara Shuttle is connecting people with the destinations unique to Niagara Falls and the greater Niagara Region,” said Congressman Brian Higgins. “The shuttle is an important component of a tourist-friendly region, delivering visitors from near and far, to the many great places and events accessible from each of its stops, and at the same time delivering measurable economic returns.”

“Niagara Falls is one of our great tourist attractions in upstate New York and around the world, bringing millions of tourists to the region each year,” said Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul, who spoke at the event. “The fourth season of the Discover Niagara Shuttle will continue to transport visitors to more than a dozen tourist destinations in Niagara County, showcasing the beautiful parks and natural wonders the area has to offer. We are committed to strengthening tourism in the region, supporting jobs and strengthening the economy.”

City of Niagara Falls Mayor Paul Dyster said, “We are thrilled to kick off what we are sure will be another successful season for the Discover Niagara Shuttle! This exciting initiative continues to serve as a shining example, not only enhancing the tourism economy for the communities it serves, but highlighting the historical, environmental and recreational significance of the Niagara Falls Heritage Area for thousands of visitors each year.”

“The New York Power Authority is proud to continue our partnership with the federal Niagara Falls National Heritage Area for a fourth season of the Discover Niagara shuttle service that helps bolster tourism and economic development in New York state,” said New York Power Authority Board Chairman John Koelmel. “With ongoing work to remove the Niagara Scenic Parkway and rebuild Whirlpool Street, the shuttle will play an important role in making sure tourists and locals alike can easily reach our Power Vista attraction.”

Mark Mistretta, western district director for New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, said, "The Discover Niagara shuttle is a wonderful, environmentally sensitive and economical way to connect all of the state parks in the heritage area and along the beautiful Niagara Gorge. State Parks is proud to be a supporter of the shuttle and we wish them a successful fourth year."

Destination Niagara USA President and CEO John Percy said, “We work incredibly hard to inspire visits to Niagara Falls and Niagara County to people all around the country and from around the world. An important part of that story is helping people plan for the logistics of their visit, which includes transportation. The Discover Niagara Shuttle plays an extremely important role with assisting our visitors in more easily accessing all of the exciting attractions that we have to offer, and we look forward to not only being able to continue this service, but hopefully expand it in the near future.”

The shuttle is an initiative of the Niagara Falls National Heritage Area with the support of partners at the: New York Power Authority, Destination Niagara USA, City of Niagara Falls, Niagara University, Niagara Falls USA Development Corp., State Parks, Niagara County, Town of Lewiston and Village of Lewiston.

Since 2016, the Discover Niagara Shuttle has connected more than 105,000 visitors and residents to destinations along the Niagara River corridor, with ridership growing each year. An independent study found that, in 2016 alone, the Discover Niagara Shuttle injected $35 million into the Niagara County economy.

A total of four shuttles operate seven days a week, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and from 9 a.m. through midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. No tickets are necessary. Shuttles are wheelchair, stroller- and bicycle-friendly. All shuttles are also climate-controlled and offer free Wi-Fi service.

The shuttle season is now underway and runs through Sept. 2.

Shuttle stops include: the Niagara USA Official Visitor Center, Third and Old Falls Street, the Third Street Entertainment District, the Niagara Gorge Discovery Center, the Aquarium of Niagara, the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center (NACC), Oakwood Cemetery, the Niagara Falls Train Station & Underground Railroad Heritage Center, Whirlpool State Park, the Castellani Art Museum, the Niagara Power Project Power Vista, Lewiston’s Academy Park, Lewiston Center, Lewiston waterfront, Stella Niagara Preserve, Youngstown Center, and Old Fort Niagara.