In one of his first actions since taking office, Erie County Legislator Joseph C. Lorigo is asking the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority to reconsider cutting bus routes in District 10.

Lorigo said in a press release sent late last week that two of the 16 express routes proposed for elimination could have a negative impact on residents, if approved. They are the weekday operations of Route 70-East Aurora Express and Route 75-West Seneca Express, operating between downtown Buffalo and each respective town.

Several constituents in the legislator’s district — comprising the towns of Aurora, Elma, Colden, Holland, Marilla, Wales and West Seneca — have reportedly expressed concern about losing service near their homes and places of employment.

One resident who wrote a letter said he has no alternative means to get to his job.

“These are routes that residents rely on, and everything possible should be done to continue offering this vital service,” said Lorigo, a West Seneca resident.

According to the NFTA website, other endangered routes include a reduction in service for weekday and Saturday operations of Route 15-Seneca, between downtown Buffalo and the Southgate Plaza in West Seneca; and the elimination of all services for both weekday and Saturday operations of Route 211-Erie Community College, between the North, South and City campuses.

The agency has scheduled the following public hearings to discuss the proposals:

6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30, at Erie Community College North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville, Building B, Bretschger Hall, Room 401.

6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31, at Niagara Falls City Hall Chambers, 745 Main St., Niagara Falls.

Noon and 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library auditorium, 1 Lafayette Square, Buffalo.

6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 2, at Erie Community College South Campus, 4041 Southwestern Blvd., Orchard Park, Building No. 5, cafeteria.

Anyone interested in commenting on the NFTA’s proposals must do so by Feb. 2.

Comments may be submitted to planning@nfta.com or by mailing a letter to: Service Planning Department, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, 181 Ellicott St., Buffalo, NY 14203.

Lorigo, who is expected to attend the Feb. 2 public hearing, expressed understanding for the changes since the NFTA is facing significant budgetary gaps.

“However, providing services to residents who need public transportation is its purpose,” he said.

The full list of proposed cuts and reductions can be found at metro.nfta.com. Click the link for “Schedules & Fares,” then click the icon for “NFTA-Metro Proposed Service Reductions.”

For other information, contact Lorigo by calling his office at 858-8922 or email joseph.lorigo@erie.gov.

Will the NFTA’s proposed cuts and reduction in services affect you? Send a letter to the editor at paulo@beenews.com and take our online poll at www.EastAuroraBee. com.