Changes to Canisius and NFTA Agreements Hopes to Boost Buffalo Engagement

By: Mikayla Boyd, Editor-in-Chief

On Wednesday, Sept. 17, the Center for Student Engagement and Leadership Development (SELD) announced an “exciting update on NFTA access,” sharing that NFTA access will now be tied to your student ID –  the Griff Pass.

Previously, NFTA access within the Canisius community operated on a need-based system, with only commuter students who relied on the metro for transportation to and from Canisius being supplied with passes. This new agreement with the NFTA allows for all students to have access to buses and the metro rail regardless of their commuter or resident status. Jason Francey, director of SELD, commented that they are “excited for this change because it will give students more access to the metro system. On top of your ID card being your key to buildings and your meal plan, it is now also your key to the city of Buffalo, and we hope students will take advantage of this benefit and explore all the city has to offer.” Kaitlin O’Meara, president of C-Block, added that she is especially looking forward to the integration of the NFTA pass and the student ID because it alleviates stress associated with taking the Metro rail to Canisius hockey games hosted downtown at the LECOM Harborcenter.

Wondering how to take advantage of this new opportunity? If you are a new student this year and picked up your ID card on or after August 22, then your existing ID is eligible to be registered as your NFTA pass. Everyone else will need to get a new ID card printed at Student Life. You can schedule an appointment to pick up a new ID card by visiting Canisius University’s website, under Student Life / Student Experience / Student Life and Housing, and then choosing the ID cards option. No walk-ins are being accepted at this time, but the typical fee of $15 is being waived in observance of the new program until Oct. 1. The roll out of this program is divided into phases, with access being limited to commuters this week and with it being opened to residents beginning Monday, Sept. 22. 

Once an eligible ID card is obtained, it must be registered for the program through the form titled “NFTA Program Enrollment.” Ultimately, the program hopes to get Griffs into the Greater Buffalo area to explore the City of Good Neighbors.