New York State Fair adds new measures in response to bus shuttle delays
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The New York State Fair added additional security and safety measures to its bus pickup area, following the largest turnout the fair has seen in years with over 100,000 people in attendance, syracuse.com reported Monday.
The changes come in response to Saturday’s large crowds and long delays for those using the fair’s Centro shuttle bus system, where some waited in line for over two hours.
Lines at the bus pickup area will now be better defined, with additional staff and increased signage to help direct people to buses. Officials say they’ll continue to search for better ways to streamline the area.
Fair officials are also working with Centro to maximize the number of buses and drivers available, while beginning to plan more permanent transportation updates for next year.
Associate Director of Public Information for the NY State Fair Katie Rey told syracuse.com that safety played an important role in the decision to update transportation.
On Saturday afternoon, fair officials asked attendees to use the Park-N-Ride system that allows attendees to park at Destiny USA and take a $2 round trip to and from the fair.
However, fairground parking lots still filled up by 3 p.m. on Saturday, becoming the fair’s single-highest attended day in seven years. Attendees came out in droves to see concerts from artists such as Third Eye Blind and Flo Rida.
Even with the new measures in place, officials are asking fairgoers to arrive earlier in the day to avoid traffic and congestion, or to watch for updates from the Department of Transportation about traffic and parking.
The fair will continue until Sept. 7.
