Another step toward unified transit: bus and streetcar service agreement

File photo:streetcar stop in city market area.

File photo:streetcar stop in city market area.

In another step toward a unified regional transportation system, the city bus service has made an agreement with the new streetcar system to provide some support and services.

The cooperative agreement between the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, the Kansas City Streetcar Authority and the city means the streetcar will take advantage of transit service and technology the KCATA already has, eliminating duplication of service and offering more convenience to riders.

“The streetcar is a significant addition to the transit landscape in the Kansas City region,” said KCATA President/CEO Joe Reardon in a news release.  “This cooperative agreement furthers our efforts to enter into strong partnerships to provide a more seamless, enhanced and multimodal transit system for residents throughout Kansas City.  We are excited to work with KC Streetcar and share our expertise and skills to the support the streetcar operation.”

The new agreement is another step in RideKC, a plan to unify transportation across the metro area. Under RideKC, the KCATA is developing a regional transit brand with a joint website, wayfinding system, map and farecard.

“Once the streetcars are operational, the KCATA will provide streetcar schedule and arrival information to callers through its regional call center.  This information will also be displayed on the real-time arrival signs and digital kiosks located at a majority of the downtown streetcar stops.  The KCATA will also provide paratransit service, otherwise known as ‘Share-A-Fare’ service, for eligible riders in the streetcar service area that can’t independently use the streetcar system because of a disability.  In the event that streetcar service is interrupted for an extended period of time, the KCATA, in coordination with the KCSA, will employ bus bridge services in order to transport riders to their destinations,”  the press release says.

3 Comments

  1. Bruce says:

    Streetcars can use rail signaling systems to automatically stop a vehicle that’s running too fast. This allows them to drop other fail-safe systems that buses need, especially braking a longer distance before red lights. Overall, this provides a speed advantage.

  2. Sadly, the width of this state highway is finite. Given the volume of traffic and the reduced capacity for autos, do you really think adding bike lanes is appropriate, even if Caltrans would permit it, which they wouldn’t, ever? Rain gardens allow water to filter more slowly into the sewer system.

Reply to artistsalleyvip.ca Cancel Reply