Canalside station

This article is about the station in Buffalo, New York. For the station in Boston, Massachusetts formerly named Auditorium, see Hynes Convention Center station.

Canalside station (formerly Auditorium station and Erie Canal Harbor station) is a Buffalo Metro Rail station located in the 100 block of Main Street (just north of Hanover and Scott Streets) next to the South Aud Block of Canalside in the Free Fare Zone, which allows passengers free travel between this station and Fountain Plaza station. Passengers continuing past Fountain Plaza are required to provide proof-of-payment. Unless there are events occurring at KeyBank Center, in which case Special Events station will be utilized, this is the southern terminus of Metro Rail. Since Erie Canal Harbor station serves as a terminal, immediately north is a double crossover. Erie Canal Harbor station is located close to Amtrak's Buffalo–Exchange Street station and the two stations are connected by a lit pathway beneath Interstate 190 with decorative cement and signage.

Canalside
Erie Canal Harbor (now Canalside) station platforms with Seneca One Tower in the background, during reconstruction in December 2023.
General information
Location	100 Main Street Buffalo, New York
Coordinates	42°52′40″N 78°52′37″W
Owned by	NFTA
Platforms	2 low-level side platforms
Tracks	2
Connections	Empire Service, Maple Leaf (at Buffalo–Exchange Street)
Construction
Structure type	At-grade
Accessible	Yes
Other information
Fare zone	Free fare
History
Opened	October 9, 1984; 39 years ago (1984-10-09)[1]
Rebuilt	2024
Previous names	Auditorium (1984–2003) Erie Canal Harbor (2003–2024)
Passengers
2017	253,164[2]
Services
Preceding station NFTA Following station Terminus Metro Rail Seneca toward University Special Events Limited service Terminus
Future service
Preceding station NFTA Following station DL&W Terminus Metro Rail Seneca toward University
Location

The station was originally known as Auditorium station when it first opened until September 1, 2003, when it was renamed Erie Canal Harbor station. The station was temporarily closed for construction and rebuilt to modern standards throughout 2023 and 2024, being renamed to Canalside station upon its reopening on July 2, 2024.^[3][4]

Bus routes

• 6 Sycamore
• 8 Main (outbound)
• 24 Genesee (outbound)
• 68 George Urban (outbound)

Notable places nearby

Erie Canal Harbor station (now Canalside station) in June 2015, with the former station shelters

Erie Canal Harbor station is located near:

• Buffalo–Exchange Street station (Amtrak train station)
• Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
• Canalside District
• KeyBank Center (formerly First Niagara Center, HSBC Arena, Marine Midland Arena and Crossroads Arena)
• LECOM Harborcenter

See also

• List of Buffalo Metro Rail stations

References

1. Gargan, Edward A. (October 11, 1984). "Trolley Line Returns to Buffalo". The Berkshire Eagle. Pittsfield, Massachusetts. New York Times Wire Service. p. 33. Retrieved September 19, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
2. "Metro Rail Expansion Project Final Scoping Document" (PDF). May 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
3. Faery, Max (July 2, 2024). "NFTA unveils new Canalside Metro Rail Station". WBEN (AM). Audacy, Inc. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
4. "NFTA opens its Canalside Train Station". Mass Transit. Endeavor Business Media. July 3, 2024. Retrieved July 6, 2024.