See also: International Railway (New York–Ontario).
| Car line | Terminals | Began service Horse | Began service Electric | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbott Road | -- | 1915 | ||
| Albany/School | ||||
| Bailey | -- | 1916 | ||
| Best | Main & South Division NYC Belt Line (Walden Ave) | -- | 1897 | |
| Broadway | Docks Emslie | 1885 | 1893 | |
| Cazenovia | Triangle Cazenovia & Seneca | -- | 1893 | |
| Chicago | -- | 1908 | ||
| Clinton | 1885 | 1888 | ||
| Connecticut | -- | 1881 | ||
| Elk | -- | 1891 | ||
| Elmwood | Elmwood & Allen Elmwood & Forest | 1889 | ||
| East Ferry | -- | 1895 | ||
| Fillmore | -- | 1907 | ||
| Forest | 1888 | |||
| Hertel | -- | 1894 | ||
| Genesee | 1861 | |||
| Grant | -- | 1893 | ||
| Herman | ||||
| Hoyt | 1879 | 1881 | ||
| Jefferson | 1873 | 1894 | ||
| Kenmore (Parkside) | -- | 1898 | ||
| Kensington | -- | 1895 | ||
| Main | Docks City Line | 1860 | 1890 | |
| Michigan | 1880 | 1912 | ||
| Niagara | 1860 | 1891 | ||
| Seneca | -- | 1891 | ||
| South Park | Triangle Limestone Hill | -- | 1894 | |
| Sycamore | -- | 1892 | ||
| Tonawanda Street | -- | 1892 | ||
| East Utica | -- | 1900 | ||
| West Utica | -- | 1899 | ||
| Washington | -- | 1892 | ||
| William | Eagle & Main Stockyards (Babcock) | 1874 |
| Route name | Roads travelled | |
|---|---|---|
| Albany/School | from foot of Main, Court, Niagara, Connecticut, Fourteenth, Albany, School to Niagara. | |
| Bailey | Elk & Seneca, Bailey, South Park Av to Limestone Hill. | |
| Baynes & Hoyt | Main & Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest. | |
| Broadway | Main & Exchange, Main, Clinton, Washington, Broadway to City Line. | |
| Clinton/Eagle | Main & North Division, Eagle, Emslie, Clinton to City Line. | |
| Elk Street | Main & Exchange, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca. | |
| Elmwood Avenue | Main & Exchange, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Forest to the Park (Delaware Park) | |
| Ferry Street | Main & Ferry, Bailey, Delavan to City Line. | |
| Forest Avenue | Niagara & Forest, Forest, the Park, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Harvard Place to Main. | |
| Genesee Street | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee to City Line. | |
| Hertel Avenue | Main & Hertel, Hertel to Elmwood (McPherson) | |
| Jefferson Street | Main & Exchange, Exchange, Louisiana, Seneca, Seneca, Cedar, Swan, Jefferson to Main. | |
| Kensington Avenue | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Genesee, Kehr, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey, to City Line. | |
| Main Street | Foot of Main Street, Main to City Line. | |
| Michigan Avenue | Main & Exchange, Exchange, Michigan, to Main. | |
| Niagara Street | Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda Street to City Line. | |
| Seneca Street | Main & Seneca, Seneca to City Line and Cazenovia Park. | |
| Sycamore Street | Washington & Exchange, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line. | |
| West Avenue | Main & Exchange, Main, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, to NYC Belt Line. | |
| William Street | Main & N Division, Main, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line. |
The Pan-American Exposition was held from May 1 through November 2, 1901.[3]
| Route name | Roads travelled | Base service | Night service? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best | Main & S Division, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden, to NYCRR. | 10 min | no | |
| Broadway | Cleveland & Buffalo Dock, Washington, Broadway to City Line. | 7.5 min | yes | |
| Cazenovia | Triangle (Abbott & South Park), Abbott, Cazenovia to Seneca. | 20 min | no | |
| Chicago see Sycamore/Chicago | ||||
| Clinton | Main & Clinton, Main, Eagle, Clinton to City Line. RETURN trips Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Main to Clinton. | 7.5 min | no | |
| Connecticut Belt Line | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Connecticut, Plymouth, Allen, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 10 min | no | |
| East Ferry | Erie Depot, Exchange, Main, E Ferry, Bailey, Delavan, to City Line. | 9 min to Belt Line 18 min to City Line | no | |
| East Utica | Foot of Main St, Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Genesee. | 18 min | no | |
| Elmwood | Hertel & Elmwood, Elmwood, Allen, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 6 min | yes | |
| Elk/South Park | Washington & South Division, Washington, Perry, Elk, Abbott, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill | 7 min | yes | |
| Forest Belt | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Harvard, Balcom, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 9 min | ||
| Genesee | Pine Hill Loop, Genesee, Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. | 6 min | yes | |
| Grant | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Carolina, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road to City Line. | 7.5 min to Grant/Military 15 min to City Line. | no | |
| Herman | Main & S Division, S Division, Spring, William, Mortimer, Peckham, Smith, Herman to Best. RETURN trips via Herman, Smith, Peckham, Mortimer, William, Spring, Swan, to Main. | 14 min | no | |
| Hertel | Main & Hertel, Hertel to Tonawanda. | 20 min | no | |
| Hoyt | Michigan & Exchange, Exchange, Main, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest, Hoyt, Hampshirt, Winter, Brayton, Seventeenth, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, Virginia, Main, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. | 6 | yes | |
| Jefferson | Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan, Bailey, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. Trips after 8:30pm operate only to Emslie & Swan. After 8:30, use Elk/South Park cars between Emslie & Limestone Hill. | 8 Min | yes | |
| Kensington | Erie Depot, Exchange, Main, E Ferry, Grider, Kensington to Bailey | 18 min | no | |
| Main | Docks, Main St to City Line. | 3 min | yes | |
| Michigan | Main & South Division, S Division, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Exchange, Michigan, E Ferry to Main. RETURN E Ferry, Masten, North St., Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 10 min | no | |
| Niagara | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, to City Line. | 4 min | yes | |
| Seneca | Washington & Seneca, Seneca, City Line, Seneca, Main, S Division, Washington to Seneca. | 7 min | yes | |
| Sycamore/Chicago | Walden & Hoerner, Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Chestnut, Swan, Chicago, Perry, Hamburg to Erie RR. | 10 min | yes (Hoerner to Exchange) | |
| Utica Belt Line | Main & Niagara, Niagara, Ferry, Chenango, Utica, Main to Niagara. Cars operate both ways. | 9 min | no | |
| William | Main & Eagle, Eagle, Michigan, William, City Line, William, Michigan, N Division, Main to Eagle. | 6 min | yes | |
| Zoo (Parkside) | Terrace & Main, Main, Florence, Parkside to Belt Line. | 15 | no |
After the amalgamation of a number of streetcar companies during the early start of the 20th century, the International Railway Company began assignment of route numbers to virtually all of its routes it operated. Some truncated versions (such as "Abt" for Abbott Road, and "Bst" for Best Street) remained, but were slowly assigned numbers, similar to the current route numbers used in today's NFTA Metro routes.
| Route name | Route travelled | Base service | Night service? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abt - Abbott | Abbott & Woodside, Abbott, Bailey, Seneca, Swan to Erie, returning Erie, S. Division, Chestnut, Swan, Seneca, Bailey, Abbott to Woodside. | 10 min | service stops 1:00am | |
| Bst - Best Street | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Tupper, Elm, Best, Walden to Lathrop, returning Walden, Best, Elm, Swan to Erie. | 10 min. | service stops 12:15am | |
| 4-Broadway | South Division & Ellicott, Ellicott, N Division, Washington, Broadway, City Line, Broadway, Washington to S Division. | 5 min | yes | |
| 2-Clinton | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Clinton, City Line, Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, N Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. | 8 min | yes | |
| Con-Connecticut | Niagara & Connecticut, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen, Main, Virginia, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Normal, Connecticut to Niagara. | service stops 12:00mid | ||
| 12-East Utica | Ferry & Genesee, Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, Utica, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange, Main, Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, Ferry to Genesee. | 6.5 min 5:30–8:25am 2:05–7:30pm | yes | |
| E-Elmwood | Exchange & Michigan, Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hertel, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan, to Erie and NYC depots. | 4 min | yes | |
| 11-East Ferry/Elk | Delavan & Preston, Delavan, Bailey, Ferry, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk to Seneca, returning same route. | 6 min a.m. rush hours 10 min mid-day 5 min p.m. rush hours. | service stops 1:00am | |
| 13-Kensington | Bailey & City Line, Bailey, Kensington, Grider, Ferry, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace, Main, Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to City Line. | 6 min a.m. rush hours 10 min mid-day 5 min p.m. rush hours. | service stops 2:08am | |
| G-Genesee | Perry & Main, Perry, Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill, returning, Genesee, Main to Perry. | 8 min | yes | |
| 3-Grant | Shelton Square, Niagara, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Tracy, West, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen, Vulcan, returning, Vulcan, Skillen, Military, Grant, Hampshire, Plymouth, York, West, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippewa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | 6 min | yes | |
| 7-Hoyt/Seneca | Forest & Hoyt, Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Vermont, 17th, Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Cottage, Virginia, Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca to City Line, returning, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, Fourteenth, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes to Forest. | 5.5 min | yes | |
| Jef-Jefferson | Main & Jefferson, Jefferson, Swan to Emslie, returning Swan, Jefferson to Main. During rush-periods, cars continue from Swan and Emslie to Smith, to Abbott Road. | 7.5 min Main to Emslie 10 min rush hours | yes | |
| 8-Main | Ohio & Main, Main to City Line, returning same route. | 4 min | yes | |
| 5-Niagara | Shelton Square, Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Vulcan, River Road to Grand Island Ferry, returning River Road, Vulcan, Niagara, Grace, Tonawanda, Hertel, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | 8 min to City Line 4 min to Grace. | yes | |
| 6-Sycamore | Swan & Washington, Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line, returning Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, S Division, Ellicott to Swan. | 8 min | yes | |
| 10-West Utica/South Park | Limestone Hill, South Park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Main, W Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Massachusetts, Brayton, Utica, Main, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill. | 8 min | no | |
| 1-William | Erie & Pearl, Erie, S Division, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to City Line, returning William, Michigan, North Division, Washington, Swan to Erie. | 6.5 min | no | |
| 9-Zoo/Kenmore | Main & Seneca, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil, Kenmore to Delaware Av, returning Kenmore, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main, Seneca, Michigan, Exchange to Main. | 10 min | service stops 12:30am |
Shortly after 1935, major changes were becoming evident, with elimination of streetcar service on virtually all west-side lines, including (from west to east) 5-Niagara, 3-Grant, 7-Hoyt and 20-Elmwood streetcars, and (from north to south) 10-West Utica, and 22-Connecticut streetcars.
Post-1940, the only streetcar that crossed Main Street, continuing westbound, was the 23-Fillmore/Hertel car operating between South Park Avenue in South Buffalo and Tonawanda Street using a loop over Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara and Hertel.
| Route name | Route travelled | Destination Signs | Night service? | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-William | From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, William to the City Line. Returning, on William, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. | William (both directions) | yes | |
| 2-Clinton | From North Division & Ellicott, on Ellicott, Michigan, Clinton to City Line. Returning, on Clinton, Emslie, Eagle, Michigan, North Division to Ellicott. | Clinton (both directions) | yes | |
| 3-Grant | From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Tracy, West Ave, York, Plymouth, Hampshire, Grant, Military Road, Skillen to Vulcan. Returning Skillen, Military Road, Grant, Hampshire, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Hudson, West Ave, Tracy, Elmwood, Chippawa, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | Skillen or Hertel (outbound) Shelton Square (inbound) | yes Hertel-Shelton Square only | |
| 4-Broadway | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Broadway to City Line. Returning, on Broadway, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Broadway (both directions) | yes | |
| 5-Niagara | From Shelton Square, on Niagara, Hertel, Tonawanda, Vulcan to River Road. Returning, on Vulcan, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Pearl, Erie to Shelton Square. | Riverside or Grace (outbound) Shelton Square (inbound) | yes | |
| 6-Sycamore | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Huron, Sycamore, Walden to City Line. Returning on Walden, Sycamore, Huron, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Sycamore (both directions) | yes | |
| 7-Hoyt | From Terrace and Franklin, on Franklin, Chippawa, Elmwood, Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Rhode Island, Chenango, Baynes, Forest to Hoyt, returning on Hoyt, Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, 17th, Jersey, York, Plymouth, Cottage, Elmwood, Chippawa, Franklin, Seneca, Pearl, to Terrace. | Terrace (inbound) Hoyt (outbound) | no | |
| 8-Main | From D, L & W Depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main to City Line, returning on Main to D, L & W Depot. | City Line (outbound) DL&W Depot (inbound) | yes | |
| 9-Kenmore (Zoo) | From DL&W depot, on Ohio, Illinois, Perry, Main, Florence, Parkside, Hertel, Virgil to Virgil loop at Kenmore Avenue. Returning, Virgil, Hertel, Parkside, Florence, Main to DL&W depot. | Kenmore (outbound) DL&W Depot (inbound) | no | |
| 10-West Utica Sundays, see route 11 | From Court & Main, on Main, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara, returning Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, Utica, Main, Huron, Pearl, Court to Main. | West Utica (outbound) Court Street (inbound) | no | |
| 11-East & West Utica Weekdays, see route 10, 12 | From Ferry and Niagara, on Ferry, Hampshire, Winter, Brayton, West Utica, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, West Utica, Chenango, Ferry to Niagara. | West Utica (westbound) East Utica (eastbound) | no | |
| 12-East Utica Sundays, see route 11 | From Terrace and Main, on Main, East Utica, Fillmore, French, Kehr, East Ferry to Bailey (Wende Loop), returning East Ferry, Kehr, French, Fillmore, East Utica, Main, Seneca, Pearl, Terrace to Main. | East Utica (outbound) Terrace (inbound) | no | |
| 13-Kensington | From Shelton Square, on Main, East Ferry, Grider, Kensington, Bailey to Rounds, returning Bailey, Kensington, Grider, East Ferry, Main, Huron, Pearl, Niagara to Main. | Shelton Square (inbound) Kensington (outbound) | yes | |
| 14-Abbott Road | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca, Smith, Abbott Road to Woodside, returning Abbott, Smith, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | Abbott Road (both directions) | no | |
| 15-Seneca | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Seneca to City Line, returning Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | Seneca (both directions) | yes | |
| 16-South Park | From Swan and Washington, on Washington, Perry, Michigan, Elk, Abbott Road, Triangle, South Park to Limestone Hill, returning South park, Triangle, Abbott Road, Elk, Michigan, Perry, Washington, Seneca, Ellicott, Swan to Washington. | South Park (both directions) | yes | |
| 18-Jefferson | From Main and Jefferson, on Jefferson, Swan to Larkin Loop, returning Swan, Jefferson, to Main and Jefferson loop. | Jefferson (both directions) | yes | |
| 19-Bailey | From Broadway Car House (Broadway & Greene) on Broadway, Bailey, Seneca to Seneca Yard, returning Seneca, Bailey, Broadway to Greene. | Bailey (both directions) | yes, with exception of 1.75-hour gap between cars between 2:15 and 4:00am | |
| 20-Elmwood | From Michigan and Exchange, on Exchange, Ellicott, Seneca, Franklin, Chippewa, Elmwood to Hinman, returning Elmwood, Chippewa, Franklin, Seneca, Michigan to Exchange. | Exchange Depot (inbound) Hinman or Hertel (outbound) | yes | |
| 21-Michigan/Forest | From Michigan and Seneca, on Seneca, Ellicott, Eagle, Michigan, Ferry, Main, Harvard, Delavan, Delaware, Forest to Niagara, returning Forest, Delaware, Delavan, Linwood, Balcom, Main, Ferry, Michigan to Seneca. | Michigan (southbound) Forest (northbound) | no | |
| 22-Connecticut | From Niagara and Connecticut, on Connecticut, Normal, Jersey, Plymouth, Cottage, Days Park, Allen to Main. Returning, on Allen, Wadsworth, 14th, Connecticut to Niagara. | Connecticut (both directions) | no | |
| 23-Fillmore/Hertel | From Hertel and Tonawanda, on Hertel, Main, Fillmore, North Parade, East Parade, Genesee, Fillmore, Smith to Abbott Road. Returning, on Abbott Road, Elk, Smith, Fillmore, Genesee, East Parade, North Parade, Main, Hertel, Hertel, Tonawanda, Grace, Niagara, Hertel to Tonawanda. | Fillmore (southbound) Hertel (northbound) | yes | |
| 24-Genesee | From North Division and Washington, on Washington, Genesee to Pine Hill. Returning, Genesee, Washington, South Division, Ellicott, North Division to Washington. | Genesee/Pine Hill (outbound) Genesee (inbound) | yes |
Shortly after 1935, the removal of streetcar lines became more evident after the introduction of new routes being operated with buses, instead of introducing new streetcar lines.
The first group of streetcar routes that reappeared as bus routes were the westside lines, easy to explain with the narrowness of the streets and their zigzagging over the courses of many streets. The routes that fell to bus service include:
In addition, elsewhere:
In 1941, four streetcar lines ended service.
After these dates, World War II had set in, creating a six-year gap in the escalation of lost streetcar routes, due to the shortage of manpower to fix the newly implemented buses, and from the scarcity of precious metal that was being used in wartime production of supplies.
At this time, the International Railway Company encouraged the riding public to return to the use of streetcars and support them in their cooperation with the war cause.
In 1947 and 1948, removal of streetcar service began again.
In 1950, the final six streetcar routes ended service, replaced immediately by buses.
After the end of passenger service, the Niagara Frontier Transit Corporation spent approximately six months removing the remaining 175 streetcars from the Cold Springs and Broadway streetcar barns over the remaining streetcar trackage on Broadway, Fillmore Avenue, Main Street and Hertel to the Military car barn where the outer bodies were removed and burned.[7]
The streetcar tracks were usually covered up with asphalt, and occasionally during major road work, construction crews may dig up remains of tracks that have been buried under mere inches or feet for the past fifty years.
At the present time, Main Street (NY 5) is undergoing extensive reconstruction of the roadbed and in areas of roadway that were not dug up during the construction of the Metro Rail line (using tunnel boring instead), the tracks are being brought back to the surface and dismantled.
See main article: Buffalo Metro Rail.
Though termed a "light rail subway", the Metro Rail is worthy of mention in that the portion operating in Downtown Buffalo from the Fountain Plaza to Erie Canal Harbor stations operates similar to a normally run streetcar service.
The route originates in Downtown Buffalo on Main Street at Erie Canal Harbor station (previously Auditorium), just north of Scott and Hanover Streets. The light rail line continues north, then north-east along Main Street, stopping at 5 above-ground stations in Downtown Buffalo, then eight underground stations (like a subway) until arriving at University station, located a brief distance northeast of Niagara Falls Boulevard.