As downtown Buffalo's Amtrak station remains closed for repairs following recent heavy rains, Congressman Brian Higgins is clear on his opinion of the facility - it is time to look for alternative locations.
"The current Amtrak station in downtown Buffalo is an embarrassment." Higgins says it is not only one of the smallest in the nation, it is also one of the worst.
Since it was closed just over a week ago there is no restroom or other services available for passengers. It also is tucked away under the elevated section of the I-190 near Washington Street.
"Anybody that's encountered the Amtrak station downtown Buffalo knows it's not a welcoming destination. It's not a welcoming area when people depart,"Higgins says. "It's dark. It's desolate. It's isolated and it's inadequate.
Higgins points out that the state is planning to spend $25 million on a new station in 2019. He is pushing to release a small portion of the money to study viable alternatives.
"Canalside is a bustling place. There's lots of room for improvement there. The Central Terminal has a historic, a storied role in passenger train transportation in the city of Buffalo and we should use the next 24 months to examine the viability of those sites, including their challenges, but also their opportunities," he says.
If the state takes proactive steps now, Higgins says it will enhance the possibility of generous federal matching funds for a new Buffalo Amtrak station. He says several other upstate cities already have new stations.