The Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway, an interurban railroad, was chartered on May 21, 1896.

Syracuse Rapid Transit Railway was consolidated with the New York State Railways, affiliated with New York Central Railroad in 1912.

The former Syracuse Rapid Transit went on to form the majority of what would become the Syracuse Lines of New York State Railways.

The parent company entered receivership in 1929, from which it emerged in 1934.

The last day of streetcar operation in Syracuse was January 4, 1941.