The Great New York State Fair Announces New Bus Dropoff Area to Increase Safety, Improve Traffic Flow

The Great New York State Fair will move its Centro Park-N-Ride bus drop-off location to increase fairgoer safety and ease traffic congestion along State Fair Boulevard. The bus drop-off will move from outside of the Main Gate to a larger, fenced facility to be created at Gate 10 in the Gray Lot on the western end of the Fairgrounds. A stop for the Fair’s free trams is available right inside the gate and the Fair will add several new express trams that will run constantly between Gate 10 and the Chevy Court area.

The current bus drop-off lot was created in 2016 as the first phase of improvements to the Fair and Fairgrounds was underway, to improve the flow of bus arrivals and departures while moving them away from pedestrians as much as possible. Since then, Fair attendance has risen more than 40% and the 1.25-acre lot has exceeded its capacity. The new six-acre lot will provide room for future growth, improve the flow of traffic on State Fair Blvd. and better isolate buses from pedestrians.

“This change is safer for fairgoers, but this is safer, better for traffic and we believe it can be a chance to explore and enjoy the newest parts of the Fairgrounds. People entering through Gate 10 will quickly encounter the Dairy Cow Birthing Center, fun events and music in the New York Experience festival area, our free entertainment shows, the Midway and the exciting programming in the Expo Center. We’ll have new signs and people there to help you find your way. Our free trams, including the new express trams to Chevy Court, will be right inside the gate to get you anywhere you want to go. We think many fairgoers will find new State Fair favorites,” said Troy Waffner, Fair Director.

All Centro Park-N-Ride and charter buses will use the new drop-off. The Orange Lot shuttle will continue to drop off at the Main Gate. Public parking and parking for people with disabilities will still be available in the Gray Lot and all Fair parking lots. This year, the entire Pink Lot, the closest lot to the Main Gate and Gate 3, will be set aside for parking for people with disabilities. Vehicle parking will remain available in all lots but the Fair strongly encourages people to use Centro Park-N-Ride service for maximum convenience.

The Gate 10 area will receive a full renovation for 2020 as it becomes a main entrance for the Fair. For 2019, the Fair will give the area a more welcoming appearance, increase Guest Relations and tram services, and provide accessibility services. The new express trams will run between the Gate 10 tram stop and the Gate 12 tram stop at Chevy Court without intermediate stops. All trams are free of charge to ride, thanks to assistance from Chevrolet.

The former bus lot outside the Main Gate will become a premium parking lot. The new Emerald Lot will be open on a first-come, first-served basis throughout the Fair for $25 per space. Spaces will be made available throughout the day as they open. Payment is by cash only to the Emerald Lot attendant. The Fair will also debut valet parking for those seeking convenience. For $20, an attendant will pick up a fairgoer’s vehicle on the ramp into the Brown Lot and will retrieve it when the fairgoer is leaving.

Founded in 1841, the Great New York State Fair is America’s third largest state fair. The Fair showcases the best of New York agriculture and provides top-quality entertainment. The 2019 Fair runs from August 21 to September 2. Information about the Fair can be found here.

The New York State Fairgrounds is a 375-acre exhibit and entertainment complex that operates all year. A year-round schedule of events is available here. Find the Great New York State Fair on Facebook, follow @NYSFair on Twitter, on Snapchat at nysfair and enjoy photos from the Fair on Flickr. Also, New Yorkers are invited to send their ideas for the Great New York State Fair at [email protected].