This month marks five years since the unveiling of the Merchants Insurance Group metro rail stations in downtown Buffalo, New York!
On March 29, 2021, Merchants Insurance Group and the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) hosted a ceremonial ribbon-cutting to showcase the enhanced metro rail stations at Main & Seneca Streets in downtown Buffalo, outside of Merchants’ corporate headquarters.
Both northbound and southbound Seneca stations are painted Merchants maroon, and the company’s branding is prominently featured throughout, with logo signage and scaled versions of Merchants’ signature vertical sign integrated into the design. The displays are powered by solar energy systems installed by Western New York-based Solar Liberty Energy Solutions Inc., in collaboration with National Grid, as part of Merchants’ broader push toward sustainability, alongside initiatives like rooftop solar panels and expanded digital operations.
As a small business insurer and a company founded in Buffalo over a century prior, Merchants prioritized local collaboration throughout the project, especially amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The company partnered with Buffalo-based branding, advertising, and digital marketing agency Abbey Mecca for the creative design and project management. Work was completed thanks to local companies including Solar Liberty, RW Painting Inc., Streamline Designs, and ASI Signage Installations.
Photo taken on 3/29/2021 by David Marino Photography. Pictured from left to right: Bill Conrad, NY State Assemblymember, Assembly District 140; Jon Rivera, NY State Assemblymember, Assembly District 149; Bob Zak, former President & CEO of Merchants Insurance Group, current Chair of Merchants’ Board of Directors; Brian Higgins, former Congressman (NY-26); Kim Minkel, Executive Director, NFTA; Charles Makey, President, current President & CEO of Merchants Insurance Group; Tim Kennedy, former State Senator and Chair of the State Senate Transportation Committee, current Congressman (NY-26).
The Merchants Insurance Group stations were unveiled at the March 29, 2021 ceremonial ribbon-cutting with local government officials and business leaders in attendance.
