Transit Action Network (TAN)

Advocates for Improved and Expanded Transit in the Kansas City Region.

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Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultant Discusses Three Alternatives In The JCCCAA

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 17, 2012


Lisa Koch, a senior planner with the lead consulting firm for the study, Parsons Brinckerhoff,  discusses three of the alternatives being studied in the Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis (JCCCAA) with Transit Action Network.

No Build

Transportation Systems Management

Enhanced Express Bus (part of TSM)

Lisa also describes the travel demand model used to estimate ridership for each mode in the study’s forecast year of 2035.

The study is in the second phase, called Tier Two, where a detailed analysis of the remaining alternatives is conducted and the alternatives are narrowed down to come up with a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA). The study is scheduled to be completed in late Spring 2012.

http://vimeo.com/36946225

This map is the current proposed map of the Enhanced Express Bus System. It has different colors to represent the different express bus services being considered. Some services are new. PR stands for Park and Ride lots. The map is subject to change.

In 2007 there was an I-70 Commuter Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA).  In the Summary Report the consultant’s near-term recommendation was to improve the Express Bus system. The AA also studied the underutilized Kansas City Southern (KCS) Railroad line. In that study, the KCS line traveled to the Knoche Rail Yard and then new rail  was needed from there (near the Missouri River) up to Third St. and Grand.  In another variation the KCS line connected to the Trench, the Kansas City Terminal Railroad tracks that run past Union Station. Neither of those rail alternatives were recommended in 2007 and both of those options were eliminated from the current study in the Tier One evaluation.

Link to the first interview: MARC And Parsons Brinckerhoff Discuss The Current Status Of The Commuter Corridors Altenatives Analysis

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MARC And Parsons Brinckerhoff Discuss The Current Status Of The Commuter Corridors Altenatives Analysis

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 15, 2012


Last week Transit Action Network sat down with Tom Gerend, Assistant Director of Transportation and Project Manager at Mid-America Regional Council (MARC), and Lisa Koch, Senior Planner with Parsons Brinckerhoff,  in a series of four video interviews to discuss the Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis currently underway in Jackson County.

MARC is on the Partnership Team overseeing the study and Parsons Brinckerhoff is the lead consulting firm conducting the study.

Transit Action Network believes this is a good time to bring everyone up to date since the last public open house was the end of November 2011. The next open house won’t be held until after the Stakeholders Advisory Panel on March 6. (update-the third open house will be March 13-15 rescheduled)

These interviews provide background on the study as well as the current information about the three corridors and the multitude of alternatives being studied.

Keep in mind that none of the alternatives have been chosen to implement at this point and the situation changes as new information becomes available and decisions are made. Since the last open house, more analysis has been done and another alternative has been eliminated. Consultants and engineers continue to look for the best solutions to challenges presented by the options.

Join us on this first interview with Tom for an introduction to the series and background on the study.

The study website is KCSmartMoves.org

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Public Budget Hearings – Thank KC City Council for Restoring Funding to Public Transit

Posted by Transit Action Network on January 30, 2012


Kansas City has scheduled their annual public meetings on the budget. If you attend and testify at one of these meetings, consider thanking the Council for passing Ordinance 100951 to restore funding to public transit. This Ordinance, which was passed in December 2010, gives KCATA at least 95% of the revenue from the ½ cent Transportation Sales Tax (after TIF and City administration fees) . The ordinance has a phase in period. The city has to reach the 95% mark by May 1, 2014. When Transit Action Network started working on the ordinance, the KCATA was only going to receive $19.9 million from this fund. In the upcoming budget being discussed for 2012-2013, the city has budgeted $23.5 million for KCATA or 82% of the available money. Reaching the 95% mark will result in millions of additional dollars for public transit. TAN wants to thank everyone who joined forces with us to help get the ordinance passed. Please, remember to thank the Council.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri City Council Public Budget Hearings 2012 will be held on the following dates:

Saturday, February 4th – 4th District
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: KCMO Health Department, 2400 Troost Ave, KCMO 64108
(park and enter on north side of building)

Saturday, February 11th – 5th District
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: Southeast Community Center, 4201 East 63rd Street, KCMO 64130

Saturday, February 18th – 3rd District
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: Robert J. Mohart Multipurpose FOCUS Center, 3200 Wayne Ave, KCMO 64109

Wednesday, February 22nd – 2nd District
Time: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Location: Park Hill Education Center, 7703 N.W. Barry Road, KCMO 64153

Saturday, February 25th – 1st District
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12 noon
Location: Shoal Creek Police Academy, 6801 NE Pleasant Valley Road, KCMO, 64119

Wednesday, February 29th – 6th District
Time: 7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Location: Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Rd, KCMO 64134

For more information, please contact:
Susan Borge
Legislative Aide to Councilwoman Jan Marcason
4th District
(please note new phone#/email)
816 513-6517
susan.borge@kcmo.org

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Help Protect the Transit Budget in Johnson County

Posted by Transit Action Network on January 27, 2012


TheJO

Johnson County Transit has already had several years of budget cuts.  This year it resulted in cutting service and changing routes. In the next two budgets they could lose an additional $700,000 or more in total, which would have a significant impact on riders and the level of transit service.

Johnson County is having focus groups to gain information from residents about how they would balance the budget. If you are a resident please attend the focus group in your district to voice your budget priorities. You must register to be included.

More information at Johnson County Residents to Voice Budget Priorities

To RSVP, contact Jennifer Wilding at jenwilding@consensuskc.org or 816.531.5078. With so few spaces available, they are sure to go quickly so please get in touch soon.

If you don’t get on a focus group, please contact your commissioner and tell him how important it is to improve and expand transit service in Johnson County, and ask them not to do additional budget cuts. Transit is a basic infrastructure service and in an urban setting delivering people to jobs is like delivering gas, water and electricity.  Please help secure transit funding.

Focus group dates

The meetings will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at a central site in each district.

Dates include:

District 1: Wednesday, February 15 (Commissioner Ed Peterson)

 District 2: Thursday, February 9 (Commissioner Jim Allen)

 District 3: Thursday, March 1 (Commissioner David Lindstrom)

 District 4: Monday, February 13 (Commissioner Jason Osterhaus)

 District 5: Monday, March 12 (Commissioner Michael Ashcraft)

 District 6: Wednesday, February 8 (Commissioner Calvin Hayden)

Posted in Action, Events, Local Transit Issues | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Public Workshop on Bus/Bike Route Planning – Jan 10

Posted by Transit Action Network on January 3, 2012


Bus and Bike

Need help finding your personal transportation routes combining buses and bikes? When is it better to wait for the next bus and when is it better ride?

Eric Bunch, Director of Education, at BikeWalkKC is offering a free public workshop to give you the skills and knowledge to plan your local bus/bike trips.

Google Trip Planner doesn’t allow a user to unlock the full potential of combining modes like bus and bike. The only way to know is by getting out the transit map and learning the routes.

The class will look at the regional bus routes and the MARC bike map and help each participant chart their commute or other transportation needs using these modes.

January 10, 6:00-8:00 PM
Tony Aguirre Community Center
2050 W. Pennway Terrace, KCMO

Link to the registration and information page:

http://bikewalkkc.org/civicrm/event/info?reset=1&id=107

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Independence Transit Committee Recommends First Transit

Posted by Transit Action Network on December 22, 2011


In a move characterized as a “new integrated transit system,” the Independence City Council Transit Committee recommended First Transit to operate their intra-city (local) routes beginning Monday, July 2, 2012.  KCATA would continue to operate inter-city routes.  Final action by the full City Council is anticipated in January 2012.

The committee’s recommendation is to:

(1) contract with KCATA to continue certain current services including inter-city and commuter bus routes (Routes 24 and 24x), paratransit service (Share-A-Fare) for inter-city and eligible intra-city trips, grant filings and FTA reporting, and regional transit information center operations

(2) contract with First Transit to provide local fixed route and deviated fixed route service, paratransit service for intra-city trips, and senior transportation service (Dial-A-Ride). First Transit is the contract operator for Johnson County Transit.

Independence says its revised transit plan will provide a 40% increase in service area, 32 additional miles of routes, and a 30 percent increase in hours of operation. Local service will be provided using specially designed new buses, tentatively branded “IndeBus.” Waiting times between buses will increase on some routes due to extending the length of the route without adding additional buses.

Independence expects coordinated scheduling between the two systems to minimize waiting times. Fares will be the same for both systems and Independence expects to work out an agreement with KCATA so there will not be a fare impact on the riders using passes or transfers.

Still unresolved are some funding issues, including how much federal “formula” money Independence will receive as pass-through from the KCATA allocation. Independence will presumably qualify for federal funds related to routes operated by KCATA, but regulations related to employee protections under Section 13(c) of Federal Transit Law could make it difficult or even illegal to use federal formula funds for the Independence local routes (see previous article). This issue — how much federal money will be passed through to Independence — could significantly change the transit funding situation in Independence. Discussions and legal research are ongoing between and among Independence, KCATA, the FTA, the Amalgamated Transit Union, and MARC.

A publicity campaign is planned to start in April, including public meetings, route maps, publication in the Independence newsletter CityScene and information on City 7, the public access cable channel. Bus stop and schedule signs will be replaced and First Transit will work with the businesses in the new service areas for locating stops.

Although its total cost of transit service will rise slightly, Independence expects ridership to increase at least 15% with the increased route coverage. In addition, the City plans to seek grants to supplement money from its General Fund.

Posted in Local Transit Issues, Regional Transit Issue, Seamless Transit | Tagged: , | 1 Comment »

Independence Ponders Transit Options

Posted by Transit Action Network on December 6, 2011


In August, 2011, Independence issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to operate their local transit routes and local para-transit service, Dial-A-Ride. The local or “intra-city” routes are currently operated by KCATA and are the routes identified by colors as well as numbers. The inter-city routes connecting Independence with Kansas City would continue to be operated by KCATA.

Independence redesigned its local routes to cover more miles and extend service hours. Of course, longer routes without adding more buses means the time between buses increases, which creates longer waiting times for riders.  So service miles and service hours may increase but service level will decrease. Independence also wants to “brand” its buses with a unique Independence design. (Prototype of branded buses from the RFP  Inde Bus)

Several proposals were received, and in October the city staff made a preliminary recommendation to the City Council Transit Committee. They recommended First Transit over KCATA as operator for the local routes.  The Transit Committee recommendation to the full City Council is planned in December because a final decision has to be made by February 1, 2012, in order to implement the desired changes by July 1, 2012.

Transit Action Network understands and appreciates the financial realities Independence faces to maintain transit service for its residents, as well as its right to contract for the most cost-effective transit service. The Independence budget for transit comes out of general revenue. Independence does not have dedicated transit funding like Kansas City, nor do they have taxing authority from the state to even ask for a dedicated transit tax. Their ½ cent transportation sales tax is all used for streets. Like most Eastern Jackson County municipalities, Independence has been waiting for the county to get involved in funding transit.  County transit funding was the original promise of the regional “Smart Moves” transit concept nearly a decade ago.  But county funding hasn’t materialized yet, and general revenue has declined as costs continued to rise, and something had to give. Independence has assured TAN that its goal is to provide the best transit service they can.

Several snags have arisen, however. The biggest one deals with the allocation of federal “formula” funds for transit in this region. As the Congressionally created transit authority for the Kansas City region, KCATA is the federally designated recipient of federal formula funds, and that means KCATA decides how this money is to be allocated around the region. Legally they do not have to allocate any funds to municipalities that don’t contract with them, but historically KCATA has allocated funds to other operators, such as Johnson County Transit, a well as the municipalities that contract with them. The current annual federal formula fund allocation is approximately $15 million, but may decrease based on Congressional action. Independence believes it has a right to a share of this money, even if it goes with a private contractor.

Even if the KCATA Board wants to continue to allocate a share of the federal formula funds to Independence, it may be illegal if they contract with a private operator.  This issue arises because federal transit law has a section that protects transit employees who are affected by federal transit funding. If Independence changes to a private operator there could be a negative impact on public transit workers. Based on the current allocation of money, this law (Section 13(c)) could lose Independence $600,000.  All parties have their lawyers looking into the implications of Section 13(c).

Another big issue is the effect on the para-transit riders in Independence if a different operator gets the contact for the intra-city routes. TAN is concerned that para-transit users wanting to go between Independence and Kansas City would have more transfers and higher costs if KCATA does not operate the intra-city routes. If Independence para-transit riders have to use both the Independence Dial-A-Ride and KCATA Share-A-Fare services for the same trip, the cost would double from $4 for the round trip to $8. Independence City Manager Robert Heacock said that Independence could consider picking up the additional cost for para-transit riders needing to go to KCMO. At an average of 12,000 rides to the city per year, this could amount to an additional cost of $48,000 for the city, but the inconvenience for riders would still be present.

Most important, TAN has significant concerns about the impact another operator could have on all transit riders. Unless Independence gives careful attention to “seamless transit” principles, adding another transit provider could cause complexity, confusion and additional cost for riders, and that would both inhibit ridership and limit access to opportunities throughout the region, while undermining the goal of a truly regional transit system. We have discussed our concerns regarding seamless transit with elected officials including Council member Gragg, Chair of the Transit Committee, and with City staff.

What is “Seamless Transit?”  It’s the term being used in a regional effort to make transit easier to use, thereby building ridership and enabling more people to have access to opportunities throughout the region.  Seamless transit is achieved by meeting basic rider expectations and eliminating the impact of multiple transit operators on the transit experience.

Some of the seamless expectations that TAN has discussed with Independence include:

1.  A uniform fare structure, and transfer and pass reciprocity. Independence has assured TAN that they will use the same fare structure and compatible fareboxes as KCATA so that transfers and monthly passes are accepted on both systems. They have told us they could do an allocation of revenue between the two systems at the end of the month for passes, although the details haven’t been discussed, since an operator hasn’t been chosen.

2.  Good connectivity between the two systems is another concern. TAN has been told schedules will be adjusted to co-ordinate transfer locations and schedule times so inter-system connections can be made effectively.

3.  Currently riders only have to make one phone call to get transit information. They can use Google transit to do online trip planning, and with GPS on all the current buses, real-time information is becoming available via cell phone or mobile device. TAN has asked that these seamless communication features be available to Independence riders if there is a change in operators, but has not been given any reassurances .

To get more details of the planned route changes or read the minutes of the meetings visit the Independence City Council Transit Committee website

Seamless transit issues between JCT and KCATA prompted TAN to get the MARC Transit Committee to form a Seamless Transit Work Group last year. (TAN’s Seamless Transit In the Kansas City Region document) Now many of the same issues will need to be addressed with Independence if it changes operators for its intra-city routes.

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Comment on Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis and Watch Video of the Open House

Posted by Transit Action Network on December 2, 2011


The second open house for the Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis was held this week. The meetings in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs and Kansas City, consisted of displays explaining the project, process and alternatives. Project consultants answered questions and explained the project. On Wednesday Nov 29th at the Gamber Center,  a welcome from Lee’s Summit Mayor Rhoads was followed by presentations from Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and Project Leader Shawn Dikes of Parsons Brinckerhoff.

The project team is moving from the first stage, Tier One, to the more quantitative stage, Tier Two. Some of the original alternatives have been eliminated and two new alternatives have been added that include additional rail options.

The purpose of the open house is to gather public input. Read the open house handout explaining the alternatives that are advancing to Tier Two JCCCAA-Open-House-Handout-Nov2011, then view the display boards from the meeting for more information. JCCCAA-Open-House-Display-Boards-Nov2011

After viewing the project materials please go to the project website and make your comments.

There was an excellent turnout for the main meeting. Watch portions of the presentations on TAN’s first video.

http://vimeo.com/33047816

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Open House #2 Nov 29, 30 & Dec 1- Jackson County Commuter Corridor Alternatives Analysis

Posted by Transit Action Network on November 23, 2011


Don’t miss the second open house for the Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis. There are opportunities in Lee’s Summit, Blue Springs, and Kansas City to view and comment on the alternatives considered for advancement to the Tier Two Screening. There are significant changes from the first open house and some new alternatives. Study website

Tier 2 Screening: This screening ultimately will result in the selection of a single Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) defined in terms of mode and general alignment. Tier 2 Screening will evaluate the short list of full corridor alternatives at a level of detail sufficient for local decision-makers to select a LPA. The Tier 2 screening will rely on the travel demand forecasting model and limited conceptual engineering focusing on capital, operating and maintenance costs.

Invitation to JCCCAA 2nd open house

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JCT First to Implement Bus-On-Shoulder in the KC Region

Posted by Transit Action Network on November 16, 2011


Starting January 3, 2012 Johnson County Transit will start using the shoulder on I-35 to move it’s buses pass congestion on the highway.  This Bus-On-Shoulder (BOS) strategy is used in several cities to keep buses running on schedule when traffic congestion is heavy enough to slow the highway speed below 35 mph. Minneapolis has used it for years and has 250 miles of highways usable for BOS lanes.  Chicago is starting BOS this week on I-55.

BOS is considered an innovated method to move more people efficiently using existing infrastructure. This method will be used on The JO Xpress, an enhanced bus service along I-35 linking Johnson County with downtown Kansas City, Missouri. Bus service currently runs along I-35, but this enhanced bus service will operate during the morning and evening rush hours from 95th Street to the Johnson/Wyandotte County Line.

With the current level of congestion on I-35 during rush hour JCT expects 8-10 buses a day will utilize the shoulder option. On a “normal” day buses will gain 3-5 minutes, but the real benefit comes when I-35 traffic is slowed due to incidents or weather.

For safety reasons the buses are limited to no more than 35 mph and can’t go more than 10 mph faster than traffic. Buses yield to other vehicles entering, merging or exiting through the shoulder. Of course they have to re-enter traffic when the shoulder is obstructed.

BOS has no negative effect on existing traffic, however, based on the experience in other cities it can have a positive effect on transit ridership due to improved schedule reliability.

Chuck Ferguson, Deputy Transportation Director of JCT gave this presentation about the new service to the Total Transportation Policy Committee at MARC in October. (TTPC Presentation 10-2011)

Bus on Shoulder is not a cure for congestion on the highways, but it is another tool in the transit toolbox to improve the commuting experience.

JCT is implementing The JO Xpress BOS as a result of the Commuter Corridor Alternatives Analysis completed in 2008. I-35 Fixed Guideway Corridor Alternatives Analysis Executive Summary

Review the significant summary table from that report showing projected ridership numbers and estimated cost for different alternatives.

Click to Enlarge

Read the study JCT completed in 2009 about implementing this strategy. Johnson County I-35 Fixed Guideway Phased Implementation Plan

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JCT-Public Comment on Proposed Route Changes – Nov 16 & 18

Posted by Transit Action Network on November 10, 2011


Johnson County Transit is holding two public meetings to provide an opportunity to comment on proposed service changes to The JO bus routes.

Public Meetings on the proposed changes:

Where: 6000 Lamar (Johnson County Offices) in Mission, Kansas ‐ Meeting Rooms B & C

When: Wednesday, November 16, 2011, at 6:30 p.m. and Friday, November 18, 2011 at 7:00 a.m.

These routes are proposed to be eliminated:
Route 502/O ‐ 75th Street‐Olathe
Route 671/LNLate JoCo‐Downtown
Route 680/V ‐ KCK‐Strang Line
Route 814/815 ‐ Shawnee CityRide

View all the JCT Proposed Route Changes or  visit www.thejo.com or call 913-715-8366

Interested parties can also comment by email: Comments@thejo.com

The new schedules will begin on January 3, 2012.

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KCATA – Public Forums On Route Recommendations November 2011

Posted by Transit Action Network on October 31, 2011


The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has service change recommendations on more than 50 Metro bus routes. They want to improve service, meet ridership demands and operate more efficiently using existing resources.

Customer participation is important in developing the final route recommendations. KCATA is hosting a series of public forums on the potential service changes to gain additional input. The forums will be an opportunity for customers to learn more about the service changes, provide comments about the proposed changes, and further discuss the recommendations one-on-one with KCATA staff. Service changes are scheduled to begin in April 2012 and will be phased in throughout 2012.

Public forum schedule: 
Wednesday, Nov. 9, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Plaza KCMO Library, 4800 Main St., Cohen Center

Thursday, Nov. 10, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Central KCMO Library, 14 W. 10th St., Multi-Purpose Room

Thursday, Nov. 10, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Salvation Army, 5306 N. Oak Trafficway

Tuesday, Nov. 15, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Northeast Branch KC Library, 6000 Wilson

Wednesday, Nov. 16, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Watkins Cultural Heritage Center, 3700 Blue Parkway

Thursday, Nov. 17, 4 to 6:30 p.m., Canaan Worship Center, 5333 Bannister Rd., Fellowship Hall

Saturday, Nov. 19, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. KCATA, 1200 E. 18th St., Breen Building, Lobby

Additional information, including the recommended changes, are available on the KCATA Website. Click here to submit online comments.

Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

Final Open House-See Designs for State Avenue “Connex” Transit Corridor – Oct 20

Posted by Transit Action Network on October 13, 2011


The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and Unified Government Transit of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan., are hosting the final open house for the public to review the detailed improvement plans for the “Connex” transit corridor. Displays will provide information about the overall design of the corridor, plus specific plans for two new MetroCenters: Midtown KCK (47th and State Ave.) and Downtown KCK (7th and Minnesota Ave.). This major east-west route connects the city’s revitalized urban core to new development occurring in the Village West area.

Detailed plans for enhanced transit amenities and pedestrian infrastructure in the State Avenue corridor of Kansas City, Kan., will be on display.

When: 3:30–6 p.m. on Oct. 20

Where: St. Patrick Catholic Church Parish Hall, 1086 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112

Link to more information about the improvements on the KCATA website

The Kansas City Regional TIGER Grant is funding $10.3 million in transit improvements along State Avenue in Kansas City, Kan. The Transit Center and Corridor Transit Station Improvements are scheduled for completion 3rd quarter 2012.

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So Many Alternatives to Evaluate in Jackson County!

Posted by Transit Action Network on October 13, 2011


The Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis is studying six different alternatives to find the best option to improve transit from Eastern Jackson County into downtown Kansas City.  The commuter corridors under consideration are east along the I-70 corridor to Oak Grove and southeast along the old Rock Island Corridor possibly all the way to Pleasant Hill.

JCCCAA Open House-Independence

The Federal Transit Administration requires the study look at different alternatives to find the best and most cost-effective solution in a corridor. At the first open house the project team presented each alternative with descriptions and maps. They published the JCCCAA_Open_House_Booklet_092711 with these details.

The study is guided by FTA standards and will evaluate and compare the alternatives for mobility improvements, user benefits, operating efficiencies, cost effectiveness, ridership numbers, capital and operating costs, existing transit supportive land-use, and economic development effects. Economic development effects are evaluated based on transit supportive plans and policies and the actual performance of the land use policies as well as the potential impact of the project on regional land use.  Transit supportive plans and policies include factors such as growth management, transit supportive corridor policies, supportive zoning regulations near stations and tools to implement land use policies.

Here are the basic alternatives under consideration. The streetcar/light rail description in the booklet of the Alternative 5 eastern corridor is incorrect. It is a spur into Independence. The map is correct.

Alternative 1 is the baseline alternative for comparison. This is a  “No Build” scenario with minimum investment.

Display board for one of the alternatives

Alternative 2 is Transportation System Management to improve operating efficiency of current systems without adding capacity on the highways or making major capital improvements to the transit system. This could include improvements to the Scout System, improvements to the transit system already identified in the KCATA Comprehensive Service  Analysis, and expansion of Transportation Demand Management/ridesharing programs. TAN feels that many of these ideas should be implemented regardless of the other outcomes in the study since they can be done in the near term with relatively small financial outlays and noticeable improvements to the management of the corridors for all transportation modes, including cars.

Independence Mayor Reimal

Alternative 3 is an Enhanced Express Bus to Oak Grove and Pleasant Hill via the current highway system. There is the possibility of using Bus on Shoulder on I-70 between I-470 and the Kansas City Central Business District sometime in the future.

Alternatives 4 and 5 basically build on Alternative 3 by adding Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on US 40 and the Rock Island corridor, then adding a streetcar/light rail line from Crown Center that has two spurs, one to Independence and one to Raytown.  In these versions, the southeastern corridor uses the Rock Island corridor as a fixed guideway for the Enhanced Express Bus as well as the BRT.

One of the alternatives 3, 4 or 5 may be the preferred alternative if Regional Rapid Rail isn’t competitive in the analysis.

Alternative 6 is the Regional Rapid Rail system. There are three variations to the route provided, but the Truman Road route has been discussed the most. This system uses underutilized rail in the suburbs but requires new rail in multiple sections including the last seven miles into downtown. The eastern corridor uses the KC Southern line to Noland Road then requires new rail to cut over to the Truman Sports Complex. The southeastern corridor uses the old Rock Island line to just west of the Truman Sports Complex at US40. The Rock Island Corridor has not been used for almost 40 years, so it will be interesting to find out how much renovation is needed to return the line to safe operating condition.

Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders

Study participants from Parsons Brinckerhoff, Shockey Consulting and MARC

Both lines converge just east of the sports complex. There is discussion of a station south of the Chiefs south parking lot, what is currently the wooded area past entrance 3 to the Chiefs parking lot. A train viaduct can be seen as it crosses Blue Ridge Cuttoff just north of Raytown Road.

The two routes use a Common Line into downtown.  The last seven miles of the Common Line, after Leeds Junction by US 40, is on new tracks and often runs on city streets. According to the MARC corridor study in 2010, anytime the DMU (Diesel Multiple Unit) vehicle travels on the streets it will have a maximum speed of 25 mph.  It goes north in the vicinity of 18th and Topping to Truman Road west of Jackson Avenue, and travels on Truman Road at a maximum speed of 25 mph. It turns south on Cherry to 20th where it turns west to arrive north of Union Station in the Freight House district close to Jack Stack Bar-B-Que.  This area is on the old KC Star storage track.  TAN still has many outstanding concerns about this alternative as expressed in an earlier article related to last year’s corridor study.

There are two other versions of this alternative. One has the eastern route stay on the KCS line until 23rd street and skips the Sports Complex. The 23rd street route runs down the center of the street at a maximum speed of 25 mph and connects with the Common Line at I-435. The other variation has both routes connecting at the Sports Complex, and traveling along the Common Line but cross Truman Road and follows the Kansas City Terminal and then the “trench embankment” into the Freight House district north of Union Station.

TAN is waiting on the project team to provide more details about the routes as they proceed in the study. Some sections of the routes are still vague, but that is normal since the study just started and the team needs time to find the best options.

The project team held three open house sessions the last week of September, Independence, Raytown and Union Station, to explain and discuss the “Purpose and Needs” statement for the project and show the public the proposed alternatives. There was an excellent turnout. Three additional public meetings are planned in November 2011, January 2012 and March 2012.  Visit the study’s website for more information.

Project Leader Shawn Dikes

In Independence, Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders spoke about the need to plan ahead for future transit needs. He also made the point that even if you personally don’t use transit many of the people you interact with do, so you still need transit. Parsons Brinckerhoff Project Manager Shawn Dikes had a PowerPoint presentation to explain the study. See his presentation JCCCAA-Open-House-Presentation-Sept2011

This study is costing $1.2 million. MARC plans to add the study for the US71/Grandview corridor to this study. Jackson County has already received $652,200 to do that study plus MARC has applied for another $1.2 million for the US71 corridor and hopes all these studies can be combined.

TAN feels very strongly that the region needs to implement the best alternative from this study, whether it is Enhanced Express Bus, BRT, Streetcar/Light Rail, Regional Rapid Rail  or a combination.  If we are going to spend this amount of money on studies then it is our responsibility, to the best of our ability, to implement the recommendations that come out of them.

Posted in Local Transit Issues, Meeting Reports, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Why a downtown streetcar?

Posted by Transit Action Network on October 4, 2011


Probably the best reason for a streetcar is that the people in this corridor want it. If you look at past voting records from the light rail votes, people in the downtown corridor consistently vote for it. People in this area will also be the biggest beneficiaries of it; and they’re the most enthusiastic about it.

Rail is a service upgrade from buses. Streetcars offer a smoother ride. Their route is clearer, especially for infrequent riders such as visitors. There is a lower risk you will wind up where you don’t want to be and have to find a way back. Many people simply prefer rail over buses.

Rail, together with appropriate land use policies, transit oriented zoning codes and improved passenger amenities, offers potential for channeling economic development to the route.

10,000 people live downtown now. An estimated 57,000 people work and live within three blocks of the proposed line. River Market is the fastest growing residential area in the city. The Sprint Center, Power & Light District, Kaufman Performing Arts Center, the continued explosion of retail and entertainment in the Crossroads, new buildings and renovated buildings all mean more and more people are living and working along the proposed streetcar route. In the downtown corridor there is now the density of residents, jobs, and entertainment destinations to generate the number of trips that should make the streetcar a success.

Since this 2.2 mile starter line focuses on such a small segment of the city no one is going to ask the whole city to pay for it. Although the project team is just starting an in-depth analysis for financing options, a Transportation Development District is high on the list of options for at least some of the funding. Additional funding sources, like federal Small Starts money, can be pursued. The project team may identify other funding mechanisms too. Many other cities started off paying for small starter lines themselves.

What about MAX? MAX has proved that additional people will take transit if it meets a certain standard. Much of the Main Street MAX won’t be affected by the streetcar but a small section of the MAX route may change to another street, where MAX overlaps the streetcar. This change would provide even more transit options in downtown.

Let’s do this Kansas City. It is time to get started with rail in an area that cries out for it!

Additional information

Click to enlarge

The Project Team for the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis recommended a streetcar on Main Street for a service upgrade between the River Market and Crown Center. The City Council unanimously adopted this alternative last Thursday.

Summary of evaluation findings: this table shows the preference for each evaluation criteria for both the alignment (Main vs Grand) and the mode (Streetcar vs Enhanced Bus).

See the project team’s full presentation to the Parking and Transportation Committee on 9/20 including the map with major activity centers.  Preliminary engineering may cause some changes to the final route. KC-DCAA-Tier2-Evaluation-Presentation

View all the project team documents at http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/projects/downtowncorridor-documents.aspx

According to the project documents “The financing plan may potentially be used to apply for federal funds through New Starts, Small Starts, or other federal programs. Creative leveraging of private funding options, public/private partnership options, and federal grant opportunities will be explored. Ultimately, the preferred financing strategy will be one with great local support—voted on not through a city-wide initiative, but by targeted partners willing to invest in strengthening the downtown Kansas City economy through this project.”

Read the KC Star: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/09/29/3174905/kc-council-committee-backs-proposed.html#ixzz1ZNn7D3tb

Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

First Open House – SEPT 27- Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis

Posted by Transit Action Network on September 22, 2011


The first open house for the JCCCAA will be September 27 at the Ennovation Center, 201 N. Forest, Independence from 4 pm to 7 pm. Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and the Parsons Brinckerhoff Project Manager Shawn Dikes will give short presentations at 4:30 pm and 5:30 pm. Be there to see maps of the alternatives under consideration for upgrades to commuter transit service from eastern Jackson County (and beyond) into downtown Kansas City in the I-70 Corridor and the Rock Island corridor.


There are two additional opportunities for public comment. The project boards from the open house will be displayed at key locations in the corridors from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Project partnership and consultant team staff will be on hand to answer questions from 5 to 7 p.m.  These additional meetings will take place according to the following schedule.

Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies | Tagged: , , | Leave a Comment »

Main vs. Grand? Streetcar vs. Bus? Final Open House!

Posted by Transit Action Network on September 15, 2011


The Partnership Team for the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis (AA) is getting ready to announce the recommended route (Grand Blvd. or Main St.) and type of service (streetcar or bus) for a downtown starter line from the River Market to Crown Center.  Find out about the purpose of the study  and the decision-making  process used to arrive at these recommendations at the third and final open house. A general strategy to fund construction, operation, and maintenance of the starter line will be presented too.

Third and final public open house

When: Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011, from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

Where: In the atrium of the Steamboat Arabia Museum (in the River Market)

400 Grand Blvd, Kansas City, Mo.

No formal presentations will be given.

View the news release. http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/news/2011-09-08_dcaa_third_open_house.aspx

Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: , | Leave a Comment »

So Many Studies, So Little Transit

Posted by Transit Action Network on September 14, 2011


In September of 2009, Brad Cooper of the KC Star wrote an article titled “KC’s rail dreams prove costly; Area has little to show for its money, but advocates say every study moves city closer to a solution.” Brad writes about Kansas City’s “love-hate relationship with transit that has cost taxpayers nearly $17 million, mostly in federal cash”.

In 2011 the Brookings Institution ranked the Kansas City region as 90th of 100 cities in our ability to get people to work using transit.

After decades of transit studies and a MARC developed regional transit plan called Smart Moves, why do we still have such limited transit service in the region?

Will the two “Alternatives Analysis” studies currently being conducted turn this pattern around?

Janet Rogers, co-founder of Transit Action Network, is convening a Communiversity course to discuss these issues and more on Oct 8. Be there!

From the Communiversity catalog:

Social Concerns Section

8002A
Millions and Millions of Dollars for Transit Studies-Where’s the Transit?
Why does the KC region have transit studies but rarely add any additional transit? What are our chances of getting a downtown streetcar or commuter rail? What happened to Smart Moves? What is an alternatives analysis? What can we do to improve the situation? Get the transit scoop from a co-founder of Transit Action Network and transit advocate for over a decade. Bring $2 to class for handouts. Janet Rogers worked to save the Eastern Jackson County commuter buses and restore KC transit funding.
CONVENER: Janet Rogers
CLASS FEE: $9.00
Sec. A: 1 session(s); Beginning Saturday, October 08, 2011 1:00 PM;
Flarsheim Hall, Rm. 260, 5110 Rockhill Rd., UMKC Campus, KCMO, Rockhill Rd. south of 51st.;
LIMIT: 30

Communiversity Online Class Registration Site.

https://ecomm2.umkc.edu/commu/

Course page  https://ecomm2.umkc.edu/commu/BrowseDetail.aspx?category=social

Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies | Leave a Comment »

KCATA Invites Comments on Proposed 2012 Route Changes

Posted by Transit Action Network on September 13, 2011


KCATA is proposing changes to transit service in Kansas City, Mo. The goal, according to the Metro, is to provide the most efficient service while holding the line on costs and not increasing the their budget.

Route changes for more than 50 routes serving Kansas City, Mo. have been released for public review and comment.  Phased implementation will begin as early as April, 2012.

These proposals are a result of a Comprehensive Service Analysis, or CSA, performed by transit consulting firm Nelson Nygaard of Boston.

We encourage you to review the proposed changes.

There are several ways to comment:

  • Online Form: www.kcata.org/metro2012
  • Mail: KCATA, Planning Dept., 1200 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108
  • Phone: 816-346-0300 (leave comment on prerecorded line)
  • Email: metro2012@kcata.org
  • Public Meetings: To be scheduled this fall. Meetings will be announced on the KCATA website, in passenger bulletins and on TAN’s website.

Once comments are received, schedules will be designed to improve reliability, provide more direct service and better match demand.  “One of the goals of the CSA is to make riding transit more attractive by designing service that is more intuitive and rider-friendly,” says a KCATA news release.

For further perspective, view a presentation about the proposed changes made to the KCATA Board of Commissioners in August.  It gives an overview of the CSA process.

Presentation of Proposed Route Changes 2012

TAN is reviewing the proposed changes and will be submitting comments.

Many of the changes look really good to us.  Here are some of our initial impressions:

  • Providing service to KCI between 5:30 am and 11:00 pm, seven days a week, will be a great improvement.  Seven-day service to the airport is of enormous symbolic importance.
  • We didn’t see indication that Main Street MAX would be straightened through Downtown, or that Plaza-only trips would be extended to 51st Street in order to better serve UMKC and the Plaza Library.
  • Elimination of Route 57 means there will be no local stops on Main between the Plaza and Downtown.  That might be a problem.
  • Service changes proposed for the area west of Main Street appear complicated and deserve careful review.
  • Service changes proposed for the Northland are, likewise, complicated and deserve careful review.
  • It’s a small thing, but we especially like the emphasis on “clockface headways.”  This means buses would be scheduled to come past each stop at regular intervals — every 10, 15, 20, 30, or 60 minutes.  Thus, for example, you’d be able to count on a bus at 17 and 47 minutes past the hour.  (Night service at the 10th and Main Transit Center already works this way — after 6:30 pm, buses on 10 or more routes depart shortly after 10 and 40 minutes past the hour.)

One last very important point:  Proposed route changes may make transit a little less convenient for some people, but it’s also likely that the change will make transit a more viable option for even more people.  That’s what’s really important.

Posted in Action, Local Transit Issues | Tagged: | 2 Comments »

New ID Card Puts Transit in UMKC Student Pockets

Posted by Transit Action Network on September 10, 2011


After years of discussion, UMKC students now enjoy public transit as part of their activity fee.

UMKC students who are currently enrolled and have a NEW “One Card” student ID have full access to MAX and other Metro bus routes.  Students just “swipe” their One Card through the farebox and ride in style.

Students voted last spring that all students would pay an additional $14 per term to get full access to the KCATA transit system. What’s more, the spring term card is good all summer, so the cost is only $28 dollars a year.

UMKC  is served by both Troost MAX and Main Street MAX, routes that have the highest level of service in the entire region. It’s less than a month into the program and already students are using their cards nearly 1,000 times a day, far more than projected.

To TAN’s surprise and pleasure, KCATA included access to its premium express routes from the suburbs. The Blue Springs, Lee’s Summit and Liberty routes are normally $3 each way, but the pass is also valid on these KCATA routes.

KCATA has posted a UMKC New Rider Starter Kit  on it’s website. The best part though is the link to a YouTube video the students made about the new service. We should all have that much energy! We do have that much enthusiasm for transit and the possibilities and options it provides: savings for students, plus a boost in ridership for The Metro.

Posted in Local Transit Issues, Regional Transit Issue | Tagged: | Leave a Comment »

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