All transit relevant to rail
Posted by Transit Action Network on April 13, 2012
Please evaluate the remaining alternatives and let the project team know your preferences based on the information currently available. Additional detailed information should be available, including a range of costs, ridership numbers, travel times and potential financing options. The study is not complete and your input is valuable. The project consultants expect to complete the study in early summer.
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on April 10, 2012
Downtown is about to enter the next phase of building a streetcar line from River Market to Crown Center.
The line will be 2.2 miles long and is estimated to cost $101 million. The City has applied for a $25 million grant from the Federal Government to help fund the project. The money will be hard to get because the competition for federal dollars is fierce. Over 700 applications amounting to $10.5 billion dollars in requests were made for the $500 million dollars available. Local support and a local funding mechanism make a big difference to the federal process. Downtown property owners and retail customers will be asked to pay the difference between the project cost and the federal contribution through the formation of a Transportation Development District. Financing the streetcar is a huge hurdle for Kansas City citizens and particularly downtown property owners to overcome.
Now is the time for local action.
1. Take part in the public hearing April 17. The judge will hear testimony for and against the creation of the Transportation Development District (TDD). You don’t have to speak at the hearing, but show up for support and to make a big impression. TAN intends to speak in favor of the streetcar project and the formation of the TDD. Businesses and property owners can object to the formation of the TDD if they feel the structure is unfair. After this hearing it is up to the judge and the voters.
Streetcar TDD Public Hearing
Tuesday, April 17, 2012 @ 1:30pm
Jackson County Courthouse, 12thand Oak, Kansas City MO
TDD Map - Click To Enlarge
2. Make sure you are registered to vote, if you live in the Transportation Development District (TDD). If you aren’t registered – GET REGISTERED!
ONLY REGISTERED VOTERS WILL HAVE A SAY IN WHETHER OR NOT THE TRANSPORTATION DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT IS FORMED AND WHETHER THE STREETCAR LINE IS BUILT.
3. Follow Streetcar Neighbors on Facebook. Streetcar Neighbors is a group of downtowners dedicated to making the streetcar happen.
If downtown voters create the TDD then there will be an additional election later in the summer to create the necessary funding. The city is actively trying to find alternative funding sources to cover the costs of building and operating the streetcar.
Downtown Streetcar timeline – Downtowners need to register to vote
April 17 – TDD public hearing – BE THERE!
April 18 – TDD judicial hearing
June 5 TDD election (Transportation Development District only)
Summer 2012 – Federal grant winners announced
Fall 2012 – TDD revenue election (Transportation Development District only)
2013-2014- Construction
April 2015 – Operations begins
Posted in Action, Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail | Tagged: Kansas City | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on April 6, 2012
MoDOT is about to finalize a statewide plan for rail service, both passenger and freight, and is holding another round of open house meetings to get comments. The Missouri State Rail Plan FINAL DRAFT, reflects previous input from citizens, freight railroads operating in Missouri, shippers, and economic development and transportation agencies.
The plan is the Missouri Department of Transportation’s 20-year strategic framework for passenger and freight rail development in Missouri. Enhancing passenger rail and improving freight rail access are among the top recommendations.
MoDOT wants to know what you think. Join them at this upcoming public meeting.
Date: Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Time: 4:30 to 6:00 p.m., with a presentation at 4:45 p.m
Location: Mid-America Regional Council, Board Room, 600 Broadway St., Kansas City, MO
The meeting site is wheelchair-accessible.
The Invitation includes dates and locations for other open house meetings throughout the state.
For more information about the MSRP visit:
http://www.modot.org/othertransportation/rail/staterailplan.htm
Send online comments to staterailplan@modot.mo.gov
If you can’t attend this meeting, you can participate in the online meeting at www.morail.org April 10 through May 4, 2012.
Posted in Amtrak, Events, Rail, Regional Transit Issue | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on March 1, 2012
Kansas City, MO is applying for Federal dollars to help pay the construction costs for the proposed Downtown Streetcar from the River Market to Crown Center.
The Federal Tiger Grant process is competitive and applications with significant local support have a greater chance of success. Transit Action Network, along with numerous other organizations, already supplied a letter of support to the project team. Now they are asking individuals to do the same.
Vireo (formerly Patti Banks Associates) provided a form letter for individuals. Letter of Support with Customizeable Language_TAN Feel free to personalize the letter. Additional information: TIGER Grant Handout for KC Downtown Streetcar. The February 27 deadline on the handout was for organizations. Individuals need to send their letters ASAP. Applications close mid-March.
Hardcopies are requested since original signatures are preferred.
Send to:
Julie Lorenz
Burns & McDonnell
9400 Ward Parkway
Kansas City, Missouri, 64114
Posted in Action, Local Transit Issues, Rail | Tagged: Kansas City | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on February 24, 2012
The Partnership Team and consultants added eight additional alternatives to the Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis (JCCCAA). In the final interview of this series, Lisa Koch, senior planner with the lead consulting team Parsons Brinckerhoff, discusses these alternatives which include various combinations of three transit modes; Enhanced Streetcar, Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) and Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Maps of all the combinations are available below. 
Lisa also describes the traffic control elements being planned for an Enhanced Streetcar to travel on the streets and how these elements differ from the ones used by the Regional Rail DMU alternative discussed in the previous interview.
For a closer look at the display board Lisa uses during the interview, see JCCCAA display-board-nov 2011 or print page 11 of the second open house display boards. JCCCAA-open-house-display-boards-nov 2011
Summary of JCCCAA Streetcar/DMU/BRT combinations being studied
Click to enlarge
Maps of all the Streetcar/DMU/BRT Combinations
A. Enhanced Streetcar/DMU – Linwood Alternative
B. Enhanced Streetcar (ALL) – Linwood Alternative
C. Enhanced Streetcar/DMU – Truman Road Alternative
D. Enhanced Streetcar (ALL) – Truman Road Alternative
E. BRT/DMU – Linwood Alternative
F. BRT (ALL) – LinwoodAlternative
G. BRT/DMU – Truman Road Alternative
H. BRT (ALL) – Truman Road Alternative
An alternatives analysis requires a substantial amount of work to evaluate the possible transit solutions for a corridor. The analysis includes a complex comparison process to decide which alternative is the best fit for our region at this time. Lisa has agreed to visit with TAN again to update us on status of the study and provide insight into the FTA process used to rate the alternatives.
TAN appreciates Tom Gerend of MARC and Lisa Koch of Parsons Brinckerhoff, along with Shockey Consulting and TranSystems, for making all of this information available to our viewers.
The next open house is March 13 -15 going to be re-scheduled.
Traffic Control Elements for RAIL on Streets in the JCCCAA
Link to the first interview: MARC And Parsons Brinckerhoff Discuss The Current Status Of The Commuter Corridors Altenatives Analysis
Link to the second interview: Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultant Discusses Three Alternatives In The JCCCAA
Link to the third interview: Discussion About The Regional Rail Alternative for the JCCCAA
Project website: KCSmartMoves
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies, Videos-Transit | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on February 20, 2012
In the third of our four interviews, Lisa Koch, senior planner with Parsons Brinckerhoff, discusses the Regional Rail alternatives for the Southeast Corridor (the unused Rock Island line through Raytown and Lee’s Summit) and the Eastern I-70 Corridor (the underutilized Kansas City Southern line through Blue Springs).
Diesel Multiple Unit -DMU
Lisa describes the routes being considered, along with traffic control elements that would be required by the Federal Railroad Administration for a Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) train to use new rail on the streets of Kansas City and Independence to reach a commuter rail terminal in the Freight House District, north of Union Station.
For a closer look at the display board Lisa uses during the interview, see JCCCAA display-board-nov2011 or print page 11 of the second open house display boards. JCCCAA-Open-House-Display-Boards-Nov2011
Following is the proposed map for the Regional Rail system being studied in the Southeastern and Eastern Corridors of Jackson County. MP (Mile Point) is the distance in miles from Union Station.
Click To Enlarge
Details of all the alternatives are changing as the study continues.
The Jackson County Commuter Corridors Alternatives Analysis is scheduled for completion in late Spring 2012.
Our fourth interview, covering combinations of streetcars, DMU and BRT, will be posted later this week.
Link to the first interview: MARC And Parsons Brinckerhoff Discuss The Current Status Of The Commuter Corridors Altenatives Analysis
Link to the second interview: Parsons Brinckerhoff Consultant Discusses Three Alternatives In The JCCCAA
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies, Videos-Transit | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
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.
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
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies, Videos-Transit | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
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
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies, Videos-Transit | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
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.
Posted in Action, Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies | Tagged: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
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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Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: Jackson County, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on October 29, 2011
Missouri Department of Transportation will host an open house and discussion about the movement of goods and people by freight and passenger rail.
Where: Sermon Center North Room, 201 N. Dodgion Ave, Independence
When: 5:30 – 7 p.m. Wednesday, November 2, 2011
VISION
Missouri’s rail vision is to provide safe, environmentally friendly transportation options supporting efficient movement of freight and passengers, while strengthening communities and advancing global competitiveness through Inter-modal connectivity.
STATE RAIL PLAN
The Missouri Department of Transportation is developing a Statewide Rail Plan that will provide the strategic framework for the development of both freight and passenger rail service in Missouri for the next twenty years.
Discussion items include:
MoDOT wants your input. If you cannot attend the public open house, the presentation and public comment forms are available at the MoDOT State Rail Plan website. The virtual meeting and comment period will be accessible through November 18. Public Meeting Presentation Please spread the word.
Posted in Events, Rail, Regional Transit Issue | 1 Comment »
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: Jackson County, KCATA, MARC | Leave a Comment »
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: Kansas City | Leave a Comment »
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: Jackson County, Kansas City, KCATA | Leave a Comment »
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: Kansas City, KCATA | Leave a Comment »
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 »
Posted by Transit Action Network on September 8, 2011
The first meeting of the Jackson County Commuter Corridor Alternatives Analysis Stakeholder Advisory Panel was held on August 31. Project manager Shawn Dikes of Parsons Brinckerhoff said the study team is “starting from scratch,” and that they are not here to validate some pre-determined solution. TAN advocates Janet Rogers and Mark McDowell are on the panel. 
The study team offered a wider range of options than a lot of people expected: several bus alternatives; streetcar or light rail on a couple of alignments; and several “commuter rail” alignments that had not previously been seen in public. Dikes admitted, however, that they chose to eliminate such options as subways, monorails, and gondolas. (That got a laugh.)
By consensus the group eliminated a commuter rail route that would terminate at the north edge of the river market.
Dikes reminded the panel that FTA funding for rail projects that are doing well in an AA are currently receiving a maximum of 50 % of the capital costs to build the system. Asking for less money increases a project’s chances of being federally funded.
Whether a suitable so-called “common line” can be found westward from near the sports complex into downtown Kansas City may turn out to be the critical question for commuter rail. At the meeting, TAN expressed concern that one of the routes would go through a disadvantaged community in the vicinity of 18th and Topping. Project work has to comply with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Disadvantaged communities affected by the project have to be included in the planning process and the project cannot adversely affect the community. Lawsuits have been field against rail projects in other cities related to this issue. MARC is already discussing these issues with community leaders.
Dikes said that the FTA would not fund rail that hurts bus service. The rail service in this study would likely differ enough from express bus routes, that the express buses could not be eliminated in order to help pay for rail.
Transit Action Network posted some concerns a couple of weeks ago about the commuter rail concept as developed in last year’s corridor study: https://transactionkc.com/2011/08/16/consultants-face-big-challenge-studying-regional-rapid-rail/
The consultant team has drafted a “Purpose and Need” statement and is currently developing an executive summary.
According to the FTA: “(A) study “purpose and need” establishes the problems that must be addressed in the analysis; serves as the basis for the development of project goals, objectives, and evaluation measures; and provides a framework for determining which alternatives should be considered as reasonable options in a given corridor. … This information provides the context for performing the analysis and for identifying the measures against which alternatives strategies will be evaluated. It also serves as an introduction for decision makers, stakeholders, and the general public to the study area and its transportation problems and needs.”
The FTA goes on to say that “the purpose and need statement serves as the cornerstone for the alternatives analysis.” The statement should not point to one solution, but be as concise as possible, focusing on the primary transportation issues addressed in the alternatives analysis.
The first public meeting on the alternatives analysis will be from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on September 27, 2011 at the Ennovation Center, 201 N. Forest Avenue, Independence, Mo. The focus of the meeting will be on the purpose and need for the project and the range of alternatives being considered. Four public meetings are planned. Details will follow as they become available.
Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Meeting Reports, Rail, Regional Transit Issue, Transit Studies | Tagged: Jackson County, MARC | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on August 23, 2011
Inside Union Station or outside in the bright sun, Kansas City came out in droves to view a new Modern Streetcar, compare it to the new Hybrid MAX bus and find out more about the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis (DCAA) at the second public open house. Transit Action Network advocates had a time great taking pictures and talking about transit with such an interesting and enthusiastic group of people.
Posted in Events, Local Transit Issues, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: Kansas City | Leave a Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on August 21, 2011
If a Downtown Streetcar line is built, it will be on Main Street or Grand Boulevard.
That was the big announcement from the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis (DCAA) study team on Thursday, August 17, at the monthly meeting of the City’s Parking and Transportation Commission (PTC). That body is acting as the study advisory committee for the DCAA.
Complete information has been posted on the project website maintained by Mid-America Regional Council:
http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/projects/downtowncorridor.aspx
That site has links to all study documents, including:
+ The August 17 Technical Memorandum, which analyzes each potential route:
http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/pdf/downtownAA/KC-DCAA-Tier1-Screening-Tech-Memo.pdf
+ The August 17 consultant team presentation to PTC:
+ A map of the two alignments for further study:
http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/pdf/downtownAA/KC-DCAA-Tier2-Alignment-Alternatives-Map.pdf
DCAA study manager Charlie Hales of HDR presented the recommendations to the Commission. Seven possible routes were considered: four were bi-directional routes (i.e., using the same street for both northbound and southbound tracks), and three were couplets (i.e., north on one street and south on another). In all cases the end-points are 3rd and Grand on the north, and Pershing Road on the south. The Grand route would terminate at Pershing and Main, while the Main route would terminate at Pershing and Grand.
Each of the two finalist routes has pluses and minuses. Grand offers the widest right-of-way (100 feet for nearly all of the distance), it is the straighter of the two, and it is closer to the government district and its concentration of jobs. Main is closer to the geographic center of Downtown, closer to hotels, the Convention Center and Performing Arts Center, and closer to the center of the River Market district. It also serves Union Station more directly.
Main gives less right-of-way to work with (about 60 feet), while Grand suffers from the prospect of having to be closed for major events at the Sprint Arena. (That is a sticking point that the City never should have allowed to exist, in our opinion. Letting a few transit vehicles through an on-street event should not be a big deal.)
With approval of these two potential routes by the PTC, the team will subject them to more intense study and present a recommendation for adoption at the September 21 meeting of PTC.
Selection of a route might be the most visible decision to be made, but it is far from the most important. Other factors to get careful consideration include:
– What operating speed and level of service will be provided on the route? Count us as among the many who have assumed from the beginning that this two-mile line would be the first segment of a longer rail line that would extend at least to the Plaza, and perhaps beyond. We favor frequent service and as high a speed as can be accommodated in the corridor to make the service attractive.
– What fare collection mechanism will be used? An off-board system is preferable since that would speed boarding and permit faster trips. Some advocate making this a no-fare line — an attractive alternative but perhaps not practical. Clearly a climb-on-board-and-put-cash-in-the-farebox system is undesirable.
– Would the streetcars travel in a reserved lane on the chosen street (preferable for a line that will ultimately serve as the last two miles of a longer line), or in “mixed traffic” (which may be acceptable for a local circulator line that might never run very fast).
– How will the streetcar work with existing transit routes? KCATA has said it would reconfigure bus routes to work with the streetcar, but it’s not clear if that would be a tweaking of routes, or major shifts that might encourage more riders to use the streetcar to get to one end of the line or the other and then transfer to a bus for the rest of their trip.
– How will the streetcar be financed? It’s been assumed all along that property owners and/or businesses and/or residents of the corridor would pick up a significant part of the cost of the line. Just how that will happen is yet to be determined.
Those are among the questions that citizens should be asking at upcoming public meetings and events.
Formation of a Transportation Development District (TDD) is likely to be part of the funding mechanism, and under that arrangement only those most directly affected would go to the polls. Out of concern for that question and the importance of building support from within the project area, Transit Action Network met early with leaders of the River Market Neighborhood Association, Downtown Neighborhood Association, and Crossroads Neighborhood Association. Out of those meetings came Streetcar Neighbors:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Streetcar-Neighbors/265998336746337
We expect that group to play an ongoing leadership role in shaping this project as it evolves.
Finally, while this study is often referred to as a Downtown Streetcar study, it is officially an alternatives analysis, and all modes are being actively considered and evaluated against one another, including an upgraded MAX bus line.
Posted in Local Transit Issues, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: Kansas City | 1 Comment »
Posted by Transit Action Network on August 21, 2011
An ameriTram modern streetcar of the type that might one day travel along Main or Grand will be on display at Union Station all day on Tuesday, August 23.
http://www.kcsmartmoves.org/news/2011-08-18_dcaa_second_open_house.aspx
The display is part of the second open house at which the project team will have informational displays inside Union Station and people available to answer questions. Our understanding is that the consultant team used its connections with the manufacturer to bring the car to Kansas City for display. We salute the project team for bringing the streetcar here.
Where: Union Station
When: Aug 23
7 am to 7 pm – Modern Streetcar Exhibit
8 am to 6:30 pm – Second Public Open House by the Project Team in the Grand Hall
Other activities planned for the day:
11 am to 1 pm – Live Radio Remote
1 pm – KC Chiefs Raffle
5:30 pm – Speakers including Mayor Sly James and County Executive Mike Sanders followed by a performance by Quixotic Fusion in the KC Chamber Boardroom
Posted in Events, Rail, Transit Studies | Tagged: Kansas City | Leave a Comment »
Transit Action Network (TAN) 