NFTA Adds Cars to Metro Trains for First Sabres Playoff Game

Transportation authority makes changes to accommodate expected high volume of fans heading to KeyBank Center.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 2:05pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting the chaotic scene of a crowded metro train platform, with passengers in motion and the train itself fractured into overlapping angular shapes and planes in shades of blue, gold, and grey.The NFTA's strategic service changes aim to efficiently transport a surge of Sabres fans to the team's first playoff game in years.Buffalo Today

The Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) has announced several changes to Metro Rail service for the first Buffalo Sabres playoff game, including adding an extra car to trains, closing the Church Street Station, and directing riders to use different boarding platforms at certain stations.

Why it matters

With the Sabres making the playoffs for the first time in several years, the NFTA is expecting a large influx of fans traveling downtown to KeyBank Center. These service changes are aimed at ensuring smooth transportation and crowd management for the high-demand event.

The details

The NFTA will be running four-car trains instead of the usual three to handle the anticipated high volume of passengers. The Church Street Station will be closed, as the extra train car will block part of the intersection. Riders should use the Lafayette or Seneca Stations instead. Due to ongoing roadwork, fans will need to exit at the Canalside Station rather than the DL & W Station. The NFTA also provided specific boarding instructions based on station location to help direct the flow of passengers.

  • The changes will be in effect for the first Sabres playoff game on Sunday, April 20, 2026.
  • The NFTA plans to monitor the performance of the Metro Rail service and issue a separate travel notice for the next Sabres playoff game on Tuesday, April 22, 2026, with any necessary additional changes.

The players

Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA)

The regional transportation authority responsible for operating the Metro Rail system in the Buffalo, New York area.

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What’s next

The NFTA will be closely monitoring the performance of the Metro Rail service during the first Sabres playoff game and will communicate any further adjustments needed for the next game on Tuesday.

The takeaway

The NFTA is taking proactive steps to ensure the Metro Rail system can handle the expected high volume of Sabres fans traveling to the first playoff game, demonstrating the authority's commitment to providing reliable public transportation for major events in the Buffalo community.