Bus service hosts meetings to discuss proposed route changes

route-35The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is considering several routes changes, including several in Midtown. The agency will host several meetings to explain the proposals and allow people to comment on them.

The changes affect both the KCATA routes and some in Johnson County including:

  • Route 35, which includes 35th Street, Westport Road and 47th Street to the Plaza
  • Route 47, which travels from downtown on Broadway to the Plaza and then east to Blue Ridge Crossing
  • Route 51, from downtown along Ward Parkway to the Bannister Federal Complex
  • Route 40 – Crossroads-Plaza, a new route.

The changes would go into effect in 2016.

Other affected routes include: 15-Truman Road; 101-State Avenue Connex; 107-7th Street; 109-9th Street; 201-Downtown Airport; 660-Antioch-Downtown; 661-Olathe Xpress; 664-Metcalf-Downtown; 667-Nall-Downtown; 670-Gardner-OP Xpress; 672-JoCo-Downtown Midday; 673-South OP Xpress; and 678-Shawnee Xpress.

The KCATA says the changes are being proposed as part of the Downtown Service Improvement Plan to simplify and improve downtown service, and to allow for easier connections between bus routes and streetcar service. They also include new transit service on Broadway downtown and through the Crossroads connecting to the Plaza, which the bus agency says was requested by the community.

Several routes, including 35 and 51, could undergo “stop optimization,” or the removal of some stops. “This will provide a smoother ride and help buses arrive on time. The biggest factor in removing a stop is low ridership at a specific stop. Other factors include safety, the location of nearby stops, availability of benches and shelters, and sidewalk and street conditions,” the ATA said in a press release.

At the meetings, KCATA will offer details of the proposed changes, and provide an opportunity for customers to ask questions and comment on the changes.

Two meetings are planned in Midtown to discuss proposed changes near the meeting locations. They include:

  • Monday, Oct. 26, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., MainCor, 3215 Main St. (Short presentation at 11:30 a.m.) Focus: 35, 40, 51, and stop optimization.
  • Wednesday, Oct. 28, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., University of Kansas Medical Center, Orr-Major Building, Room G004, 3901 Rainbow Blvd., Kansas City, Ks. (Short presentation at 11:30 a.m.) Focus: 107 extension.
  • Monday, Nov. 2, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4-6 p.m., Kansas City Design Center, 1018 Baltimore Ave., Kansas City, Mo. (Short presentations at 11:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.) Focus: All proposed changes.

Draft schedules will be available for review and comment at the meetings, and at www.ridekc.org beginning Oct. 26.

Customers may also submit comments by phone at 816-346-0300, by email at metro@kcata.org, or in writing to the Planning Department, KCATA, 1200 East 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108.

 

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