Transit Action Network (TAN)

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

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Modern Streetcar Comes to Downtown at Second Public Open House Aug 23

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: | Leave a Comment »

TAN Support for Downtown Streetcar and Streetcar Neighbors

Posted by Transit Action Network on August 18, 2011


Transit Action Network recently sent this letter to the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis Project Team.

Residents of the Greater Downtown Kansas City area are passionate about improving the state of transit downtown. Evidence for the importance of transit to Downtown residents, and their desire to improve it, is seen in their consistent support for transit ballot initiatives. Transit is also a critical part of realizing the goals of the Greater Downtown Area Plan and extending the benefit of investments already made.

As transit plans have come and gone, disunity between interest groups has weakened previous proposals to the extent that Kansas City continues to sit on the sidelines of the modern transit revolution. However, the latest proposal for a Downtown Streetcar represents a tremendous opportunity to make a significant improvement for Downtown and a lasting contribution to the city’s transit culture.

A group of downtown residents have recently come together to found Streetcar Neighbors to support the deployment of a downtown streetcar.

The downtown streetcar is the most realistic opportunity yet to bring rail transit to Kansas City. TAN would therefore like to express our support for the streetcar project and for the work of Streetcar Neighbors in bringing it about. It is our belief that this plan is feasible, economically sensible and, most importantly, achievable. We would encourage the project team to be innovative and consider any local funding options that can help make the project a reality and to do so as quickly as is prudent, setting aggressive timelines to begin realizing the benefits of this system as soon as possible.

We also endorse the following recommendations of Streetcar Neighbors and downtown neighborhood associations and other downtown organizations:

·         The system should utilize modern streetcar technology, capable of delivering a rider experience comparable to light rail in its speed and comfort.

·         To reduce rider confusion, the route should utilize a single street for both directions of travel, with considerations made for the best solution for the ends of the route.

·         The route should serve the River Market neighborhood on the north and adequately serve Crown Center and Union Station on the south.

Summary:_______________________________

             1. Modern streetcar
            2. Single street
            3. River Market terminus
            4. Include Crown Center / Union Station
            5. Open to local funding options
            6. Support aggressive timeline

Mark McDowell

Chair, TAN Downtown Streetcar Working Group

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

Council Should Delay Chastain Vote

Posted by Transit Action Network on August 15, 2011


Councilman Russ Johnson is asking the full Council to defer action on an ordinance that would put Clay Chastain’s initiative petition on the ballot.  We understand the Council has sixty days to act, and that delay would move any such vote from November to early next year.  Transit Action Network fully supports delay because the initiative proposal is almost certainly unworkable, and because further discussion of it at this time would interfere with and confuse the current study and discussion related to a proposed Downtown Streetcar.  The streetcar appears to be eminently doable, and has a growing level of support within the River Market to Crown Center corridor.
Let the voters decide on the Chastain initiative — just not quite yet.

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June 21 – First Open House for Downtown Corridor (Streetcar) Alternatives Analysis

Posted by Transit Action Network on June 13, 2011


June 21, 2011: The partnership team for the Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis will hold the first public open house to learn about the study and alignment alternatives for a possible starter line. The open house is between 4-6:30 pm in the Helzberg Auditorium at the Central Branch of the Kansas City Public Library at 10th and Main. Short, identical presentations will be given at 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.

Read the news release: Open house scheduled for Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis

Comment or RSVP at the FACEBOOK event page: Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis Open House #1

The partnership team has set up a Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis webpage. Under Study Materials get the FAQ and Fact Sheet #1 which includes a map.

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

June 13 – WHY KC Region Ranked 90th of 100 and What To Do About It

Posted by Transit Action Network on June 8, 2011


The MARC TRANSIT COMMITTEE is sponsoring a Special Forum to present the study and the findings on the Brookings Institution Report

Presenter: Brookings’ co-author Elizabeth Kneebone

When: June 13 at 1:30 pm

Where:  Kauffman Foundation Conference Center, Paseo Room-changed to Town Square Room, 4801 Rockhill Road. Kansas City, Mo 64110

This forum will focus on the report Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metropolitan America which ranks the top 100 cities for transit access to jobs. Following the presentation, there will be an open discussion on current transit initiatives and the crafting of a regional response to this report. This meeting is open to the public.

Brookings divided the metro area into the CITY and the SUBURBS. The CITY is defined as both the city of Kansas City and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Everything else in the metro is the SUBURBS. Unfortunately the suburbs in their study go so far out that a lot of rural area is included.

The report evaluates the ability of people within ¾ mile of a transit stop or station to get to work in 90 minutes using public transit. Brookings is measuring if transit is even possible to take to work. We don’t fully agree with Brookings approach, for instance many people in the suburbs who live farther than ¾ mile from a transit stop have transit access to work using park and ride lots.

Even with our concerns about the report, it does point out the seriousness of our transit situation. 80% of the CITY has transit coverage but only 25% of the jobs in the metro area are accessible by that transit. The report says only 33% of the suburbs have transit coverage but only 10% of all jobs are reachable by transit in 90 minutes from the suburbs. The overall KC job access rate for the metro area is calculated at 18%.

Of course the biggest question is how will the region use this information to better serve the needs of the community with transit.

TAN doesn’t agree with the Brookings ranking, and we can certainly quibble with their methodology, but we can all agree that our transit-to-jobs situation needs work.  While we don’t have all the answers, we do have some thoughts about tentative actions:

  • Additional funding for transit is needed
  • A set of relevant and objective local measures are needed to track our future progress in making transit available to more people
  • Since it will take more than “throwing money at transit” to achieve these ends, such as providing a transit option to more of the region’s residents for access to jobs and other opportunities, it will take deliberate attention to where future development is located, especially when public incentives are involved.
  • Although there are notable improvements recently, continued efforts are needed between the transit providers to provide a seamless transit experience for riders.

This forum is open to the public and if you are interested in transit please come take part. TAN will be present to make sure we understand WHY we rated so low and to help develop a response.

Multiple comments and criticisms relating to the new transit report are showing up in the media and on the blogs including TAN’s article last week. You may find them interesting reading. One item that seems to drive several bloggers crazy is that New York didn’t come out on top and it was beaten by some small cities. Honolulu came out number one.

Nate Silver’s Five Thirty Eight column in the New York Times

On the Economics of Mass Transit and the Value of Common Sense

Brookings has responded to Nate’s comments with further explanations about the report. New York has a great transit system but not everyone in the suburbs has access which lowered its ranking.

Maintenance on Silver’s Transit Line by Alan Berube and Robert Puentes

Other commentaries

Kaid Benfield on the NRDC staff blog

Warning: transit data may not mean what you think they mean

Richard Layman from Urban Places and Spaces

The weird findings on transit from the recent Brookings Institution

Noah Kazis on Streets Blog

Do 12 American Regions Have Better Transit Access Than NYC? Doubtful.

Alon Levy on Pedestrian Observations

Brookings Folly

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We Rank 90th of 100 – Is Anybody Surprised?

Posted by Transit Action Network on May 22, 2011


Last week the Brookings Institution released a report, Missed Opportunity: Transit and Jobs in Metropolitan America, examining the ability of America’s 100 largest cities to get people to work by transit. It should come as no surprise to residents of the Kansas City region that we came in 90th.

Click on table to enlarge

MARC has posted a preliminary response in their online newsletter, Transportation Matters

KCATA General Manager Mark Huffer has also responded to the study on the KCATA website.    KCATA Responds To Brookings Institution Report

The Brookings report is not about quality, as Huffer notes. The KCATA customer satisfaction is over 90%, its buses are on time over 92% of the time and the cost per mile is significantly under the national average.

This report is about quantity of transit service. We don’t have enough transit in the region to get people to work. This problem directly relates to a lack of transit funding. Our region provides very little money for transit compared to our peer cities. Mr. Huffer cites the need for a regional funding mechanism, and TAN agrees wholeheartedly.  MARC proposed a regional transit concept and funding strategy over 10 years ago with Smart Moves. Some parts of that plan are gradually being implemented, like the MAX buses, but funding has remained elusive. Nothing major can change without more money.

The big question is how the region will respond to being ranked 90th.  Will the region’s leaders shrug and proceed with business as usual?  Or will they take the ranking seriously as a challenge to our viability as an urban region, roll up their sleeves, and confront the problem.

We have an abundance of ‘good intentions’ already in place including MARC’s new policy direction regarding future development, a new Long Range Transportation Plan, the recent HUD Sustainable Communities Planning grant, the First Suburbs Coalition, Imagine KC, multiple Alternatives Analysis studies, multiple phases of Smart Moves, and even a broad-based regional commitment to being America’s Green Region. But are they enough?  Will good intentions translate into actions?

We have not developed a transit system relevant to our region’s population or our situation. The Kansas City region has sprawled out in every direction, and therefore lacks the density needed for some of the more capital-intensive transit infrastructure investments. Unfortunately, jobs have sprawled along with residents and retail, and “job sprawl” is especially hard to serve by transit. Even better transit to downtown would address only part of the problem since fewer than 14% of the region’s jobs are now located in Kansas City’s Central Business District.

Getting people to jobs that are dispersed all over the region makes for a daunting task for our underfunded transit agencies.

What do we do?  The Brookings Institution makes three main recommendations, but will we move to implement them?

  • Transportation leaders should make access to jobs an explicit priority in spending and service decisions, especially given the budget pressures they face.
  • Metro leaders should coordinate land-use, economic-development, and housing strategies with transit decisions to ensure transit reaches more people and more jobs efficiently.
  • Federal officials should collect and publicize standardized transit data to enable public, private and nonprofit entities to make more informed decisions and maximize the benefits of transit for labor markets.

Transit Action Network offers the following preliminary recommendations for MARC and the region:

– Evaluate the methodology used by Brookings to be sure it doesn’t misrepresent us.

– View this low ranking as a challenge to improve public transit and, at least as important, assure that most of the region’s future development is accessible by transit.

– Accept that we have not provided a realistic transit choice for getting most people to work, and increase our efforts to get broad-based transit funding, perhaps county-by-county.

– Acknowledge the “good intentions” that the region has in place, but carefully examine whether they are enough, and then adopt new policies and actions as necessary.

– Adopt and implement a set of measures to track our progress toward improving our ranking. If we measure it, we have a lot better chance of making progress.

The Brookings report and a regional response will be the major issue for discussion at the June meeting of MARC’s Transit Committee.  TAN will be there and actively participating in the discussion.

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KCATA Board of Commissioners Meeting 4/27/11

Posted by Transit Action Network on May 5, 2011


1. During public comment, Ron McLinden, Transit Action Network, asked the board to initiate a unilateral 90-day trial period in which KCATA honors Johnson County Transit monthly passes on Main Street MAX buses.  A limited trial could be implemented at little or no cost, and would be an important symbolic step toward improving the region’s transit system by making transit a more viable option for more people.  The Board agreed to consider the request.

2.The board authorized a contract to purchase eight 2011 Dodge Caravan passenger vans for use in the KCATA”s AdVantage Vanpool Program. The eight vehicles in the current fleet of 33 vehicles have exceeded their 100,000-mile and four-year useful life. The AdVantage Vanpool Program is available to commuters who either reside or work in a community supporting the KCATA through service agreements, and who do not have access to existing public transit services for their commute trip.

View the program http://www.kcata.org/rider_guide/advantage_vanpool_program/

(Unfortunately, the money is for replacement vans only. No additional vans are being added to the vanpool although there is a waiting list and we are in a period of high demand due to high gas prices. This program is great for groups of 6 or more people who want to ride together to work and other forms of public transit are not available: example-people who live in Lee’s Summit but work close to the airport)

3. The Board of Commissioners authorized a cooperative agreement for a KU Medical Center Area Transit Study toward the goal of improving transit service for those working in and around the medical center and improving connections between current transit routes.

The study arose from discussions between Mayor Reardon of Kansas City, Kansas, and Mayor Foster of Roeland Park about improving transit service for those working in and around the medical center and improving connections between current transit routes.

KCATA, MARC, Johnson County Transit, the City of Roeland Park, and the Unified Government have jointly developed a scope for a consultant to analyze options to improve transit services to KU Medical Center for nearby residents, employees, and visitors and to improve transit connections.

HNTB has been selected to conduct the study under their on-call services contract with KCATA, at an estimated cost of $72,500. The study is to be completed this fall. Federal planning funds will be used for 80% of the cost with remaining local funds to be provided by the Unified Government, Johnson County Transit, the City of Roeland Park, and KCATA.

4. The Board of Commissioners authorized a service contract with the City of Kansas City, Missouri, from May 1, 2011, to April 30, 2012, with a City contribution of $43.1 million.

From the 1/2 cent sales tax the contract includes $19.9 million for Metro, $1.9 million for Share-A- Fare and $40.2 thousand to fund specialized services for reverse-commute job transportation. There is $21.3 million from the 3/8-cent sales tax for public transportation.

This contract is an increase of 6.2% over last years contract. Part of that increase is due to the ordinance passed in December 2010 to restore funding to public transit and part is due to higher sales tax revenues.

Keep in mind that this contract is still less than the 2004/2005 Kansas City contract.

Share-A-Fare Price Increases 2011

5.Bryan Beck, KCATA’s Director of ADA Compliance and Customer Service, provided an update on the fare increase from $2.50 to $3 per ADA eligible ride for the Share-A-Fare program, including the results of two public meetings and additional public input.  He presented general information and a service review of the Share-A-Fare program. See the full presentation- SAF Update 

6. Cindy Baker, KCATA Director of Marketing,  made a presentation on the State Avenue corridor project, funded by TIGER grants. It is in the design phase and the design team will soon be meeting with Advisory Council, stakeholders, and the general public. One component of this phase is the branding that will go hand in hand with design and then implementation. This project includes transit infrastructure improvements that could serve as a precursor to a future MAX line.

Johnson County Transit is in a similar situation with their Shawnee Mission Parkway/Metcalf route, also a TIGER-funded improved-transit corridor, but not full BRT service.

The JO has been working with consultants and the public to brand their new line. They have opted to call it “The JO Connex”. KCATA, Unified Government, and Johnson County Transit are all amenable to developing a regional brand, called “Connex,” that would represent a family of routes that include enhanced transit amenities, but do not increase service levels to MAX standards.

Next meeting May 25, 2011.

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Streetcar Presentation at Downtown Neighborhood Association

Posted by Transit Action Network on April 29, 2011


Sherri McIntyre, KCMO Assistant City Manager. addresses DNA

Sherri McIntyre, KCMO Assistant City Manager, and Mark McDowell, Transit Action Network, both addressed the Downtown Neighborhood Association Wednesday evening regarding the Downtown Corridor (Streetcar) Study. Sherri talked about the nature of the study, how the study would progress, its time frame and how positive the city is about implementing a modern streetcar line downtown. Mark McDowell then focused on different financing issues and how a Transportation Development District (TDD) is a possible funding mechanism. The Missouri legislation for a TDD will be a strong contender for funding all or part of a streetcar line for both capital and operating expenses.

Mark McDowell addresses DNA

Since the study is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year, it is not too early to start grassroots organizing. Transit Action Network asks Downtown residents, as well as residents in the River Market and Crossroads, to take part in a group to make the streetcar happen and to participate in an eventual campaign to pass whatever funding mechanism is ultimately proposed.   Downtown residents can contact TAN at TransActionKC@gmail.com to find out more.

The Kansas City Star (April 29) carried a front-page article by Mike Mansur about the meeting. http://bit.ly/mNA8Zs

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Future Downtown Streetcar could be in the Hands of Downtown Residents

Posted by Transit Action Network on April 25, 2011


Come hear about a Transportation Development District. Presented by Mark McDowell and TAN.

Downtown Neighborhood Association April Meeting | 04.27.11 | 7:00 pm | Central Library | Film Vault

http://www.dnakcmo.org/dna-events.html

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Streetcar Study Off to Fast Start

Posted by Transit Action Network on April 20, 2011


A Downtown Streetcar “Alternatives Analysis” (AA) study is on a fast track to completion, according to Charlie Hales, project manager for lead consultant HDR.  That’s our conclusion based on Hales’ presentation to the Kansas City Parking and Transportation Commission today.  The Commission, chaired by Councilwoman Jan Marcason will be the “primary sounding board” guiding the study.

Hales, who has had extensive rail transit experience in Portland and other cities, said though the federal funding situation is uncertain, the best way to get such funding is to have a plan ready when the next money becomes available.

The study timetable is ambitious:
– June – Statement of purpose and need, plus identification of initial alternatives.
– August – Alternatives evaluation and financing options.
– September – Draft of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) report.
– November – Formal recommendation of a single Locally Preferred Alternative.

The FTA has awarded $400 million in grants for streetcar projects in the past 15 months through the TIGER and “Urban Circulator” programs, Hales said, and USDOT Secretary Ray LaHood really likes streetcar projects.  Getting the current study done will enable Kansas City to be “nimble” in applying for FTA “new starts” or “small starts” money, or other federal money that may become available.  Some transportation funding, for example, has recently been turned back by other grantees, and that money — even high-speed rail money — could conceivably be redirected to a streetcar project such as ours.

The Downtown Streetcar study will follow the FTA’s formal process, which requires consideration of reasonable options for both route and mode, but will seek a so-called “categorical exclusion” (a category of project considered not to have major environmental impacts) to simplify the “environmental screen” required in the FTA process.  Issues such as event-related street closures (e.g., at Sprint Arena and Crown Center), utility location requirements, the strength of bridges over the freeways, and where to locate a maintenance facility are among those to be addressed in the study.  Other factors include ridership forecasts (estimates based on travel demand models as well as “off-model” considerations) and financing options.

Hales noted that the study will build on a number of recent and ongoing local studies, including the Greater Downtown Area Plan, KCATA’s Comprehensive Service Analysis, the region’s Urban Corridors Study, and the Grand Boulevard Vision, plus all of the light rail planning work that’s been done in past years.  The streetcar study will be coordinated with the Commuter Corridors study (not yet underway), which will consider commuter rail in two major corridors.

Keeping the project manageable is important, too.  When projects fail, Hales said, it’s not for engineering reasons.  Rather, it’s for political reasons.  Thus, every effort will be made to keep all stakeholders involved, to limit expectations, and to avoid a key mistake of past Kansas City rail studies, letting the scope of the project expand.  Holding the project to just two miles gives it the highest likelihood of success, based on past voter response.  (It’s widely expected that funding for this project would come largely from within the streetcar corridor, and thus a citywide vote would not be required.)  This also keeps it small enough that the city might be able to finance it without federal assistance, should that become necessary.

KCATA General Manager Mark Huffer noted that a bill has been introduced in the Missouri Senate that would allow a Transportation Development District (TDD) to be set up specifically for transit, and that would simplify the makeup of the TDD’s governing body.  That bill (which might not be critical) might or might not get through the General Assembly this year.

Assistant City Manager Sherri McIntyre will oversee the project for the City.  She said she looks forward to guiding the study to completion and then getting the project built.

Said Chairman Marcason: “I’m the most optimistic that I’ve ever been (about getting a rail transit project done).”

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Downtown Trends and Transit- Is a Streetcar in Kansas City’s future?

Posted by Transit Action Network on April 18, 2011


Downtown areas are being revitalized all over America.

The 2011 March-April edition of the magazine The Futurist looks at current trends in an article titled “The “American Dream” Moves Downtown”.

Although the Renaissance in many downtown areas came with light rail, read streetcar for KC.  Portland is leading the way in using streetcars, which helps other cities see their potential.

Times are changing, as are attitudes in KC. The corridor from the River Market to Crown Center has lots of activities and major attractions with more and more people actually living in the area. Demand for more effective inner city transit from the people who will use it may finally have arrived. It certainly has arrived in other cities around the country.

The trend includes more than just rail. Other aspects of enhanced downtown areas include restoring and enhancing natural settings with small to mid-size parks, urban ornamental or vegetable gardens (like the one at 18th and Broadway), integrating commercial and residential functions in multi-use buildings and changing public infrastructure to favor people over cars.

Since transit is considered a major component of this trend it is often called “Transit-Oriented Development” or TOD, which has mixed use, relatively dense development that emphasizes walk-ability.

KC already has some of the improvements mentioned in the article and the new zoning code that went into effect January 2011 will help with others.

The new study for a two-mile long streetcar is starting. If a good plan emerges from the study, let’s hope we find a way to finance building it as well as operate it.

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Transit Consultant Chosen for Downtown Corridor Alternatives Analysis

Posted by Transit Action Network on March 24, 2011


Modern StreetCar

March 22. The MARC Board approved authorization to execute an agreement with HDR to do the Alternatives Analysis (AA) for the downtown corridor. HDR is an international employee-owned architecture, engineering and consulting firm. They have an excellent reputation working on transit projects and HDR has been heavily involved in streetcar implementation, especially in Portland. They have a KCMO office at 4435 Main.

The HDR team includes Nelson/Nygaard, Patti Banks, Burns & McDonnell, Polsinelli Shugahart, HG Consult, and Architectural & Historical Research.

From MARC’s  Request for Proposal (RFP):

“For the purposes of this Alternatives Analysis, the downtown corridor is in Kansas City, Missouri and extends from the Rivermarket on the north, through the Central Business District and the Crossroads areas to Crown Center on the south.  This is the center of the bi-state region and includes the region’s largest concentrations of employment, regionally significant activity centers and a growing residential population.

Downtown is the current regional hub for transit services and the expected terminus for future regional rail being studied in a separate Alternatives Analysis that is to be coordinated with this effort. There is significant transit service downtown, including two BRT lines terminating downtown, but existing services primarily focus on bringing persons from outlying parts of the city and region in and out of downtown. There is a significant and growing need for transit service focused on conveniently moving people within downtown and connecting the downtown activity centers, employment centers, residential areas and transit hubs. This need will heighten with any future introduction of regional or commuter rail.”

Modern streetcar and a variety of alternatives will be considered to meet the current and future needs.

Read KCATA’s  Kansas City Streetcar Concept

The AA is expected to be completed by Jan 2012.

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KC City Council Candidates Transit Forum

Posted by Transit Action Network on March 14, 2011


Transit Action Network (TAN) is providing this transit forum for KC Council Candidates to assist voters in making informed decisions regarding candidates’ positions on transit matters for the City of Kansas City. We will not endorse any candidate through our website or other communication efforts.

We believe these questions will need to be addressed during the next council term, although they deal with transit issues that have both short-term and long-term time horizons.

We greatly appreciate the effort and thoughtful answers of the candidates who replied.  All candidates were contacted.

Click here for city council candidates’ responses.  KC City Council Transit Forum 3/14/2011

TAN looks forward to working with the successful candidates on transit issues.

Public Comment: TAN is serious about getting improved and expanded transit in the Kansas City Region.  We welcome diverse views on transit that are presented in a civil manner. This is a moderated blog-site and only transit-related comments or questions will be posted.

Dick Davis-1st District

Aaron Benefield-2nd District

Ed Ford-2nd district At Large

Ed Ford-2nd District At Large

Melba Curls 3rd District At Large

Jan Marcason-4th District

Michael Brooks-5th District

Ken Bacchus-5th District

Cindy Circo 5th District At Large

John Sharp-6th District

Scott Taylor-6th District At Large

Tracy Ward-6th District At Large

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Mayoral Candidates on Transit and Upcoming City Council Transit Forum

Posted by Transit Action Network on March 11, 2011


Transit Action Network (TAN) is re-posting the mayoral transit forum for candidates Mike Burke and Sly James to assist voters in making informed decisions regarding candidates’ positions on transit matters for the City of Kansas City and its surrounding Metro area. We will not endorse any candidate through our website or other communication efforts.

Sly James

Mike Burke

We greatly appreciate the effort and thoughtful answers of these candidates.

We believe these questions will need to be addressed during the next mayoral term, although they deal with transit issues that have both short-term and long-term time horizons.

Early next week we will post our transit forum for City Council candidates. They have all been contacted and asked to respond to four transit questions.

Click here for mayoral candidates responses.   Sly James and Mike Burke on Transit

Public Comment: TAN is serious about getting improved and expanded transit in the Kansas City Region.  We welcome diverse views on transit that are presented in a civil manner. This is a moderated blog-site and only transit-related comments or questions will be posted.

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KCATA Board of Commissioners meeting 1/26/11

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 11, 2011


1. Kansas City has released the Preliminary Budget for Fiscal Year 2011-12.

KCATA budget from the ½ cent transportation fund is $1.98 million more than the previous budget. (Note: This is 75% of the revenue after TIF and City administration costs.)  General Manager Mark Huffer reported that he has been told that the city may be able to reach the 95% mark required by the new ordinance as soon as next year, which would be a year earlier than required.

2. The Board of Commissioners authorized a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MARC, the City of Kansas City, Missouri and Jackson County concerning implementation of the regional Alternatives Analysis (AA) Studies using $1.8 million in federal grant funding.

The MOU allocates the funding as follows:

Corridor Study Federal Funds Local Funds Source of Match
Downtown Streetcar AA $540,000 $135,000 Kansas City, Missouri
Commuter Corridors AA $1,260,000 $315,000 Jackson County

Other key points in the MOU are as follows:

• MARC will serve as FTA grant recipient,

• MARC, KCATA, the City of Kansas City and Jackson County will serve as a partnership team overseeing AA efforts,

• KCATA and the City will lead the downtown streetcar AA, and

• MARC and Jackson County will lead the commuter corridors AA

3. KCATA has $10.4 million in a federal grant for public transit improvements in the State Avenue corridor, which extends from the 10th and Main Street transit center in downtown Kansas City, Missouri, through downtown Kansas City, Kansas, to the Village West area in western Wyandotte County.

Key components of the project include:

• 7th Street and Minnesota Avenue Transit Center

• 47th and State Avenue (Indian Springs) Transit Center/Park & Ride

• State Avenue Corridor Transit & Access Improvements

• State Avenue Corridor Branding

The Board authorized a contract with BHC Rhodes, Inc., for Architectural and Engineering (A&E) Design Services for State Avenue Corridor Transit Improvements.

4. Update on the Comprehensive Service Analysis – Nelson Nygaard

The CSA is an in-depth, technical study of the system’s effectiveness and will result in system-wide and route-level recommendations for improved efficiencies and service delivery.

Mr. Geoff Slater, Project Manager with Nelson Nygaard, provided a project update and discussed the next efforts of the CSA.

Public involvement is scheduled spring or early summer. See the presentation KCATA_CSABoard0111.

5.  Emerick Cross, Interim Transit Manager of Unified Government Transit in Wyandotte County thanked KCATA for its help in the recently completed Comprehensive Service Analysis. See the 2010-UG Transit Comprehensive Service Analysis.

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KC Mayoral Transit Forum Day 6

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 5, 2011


Questions 6    Kansas City receives almost nothing for transit from Missouri. A new Federal Transportation Bill is due in Congress. How will you work with the legislature to increase Kansas City’s share of transit funding

a.     at the state level?

b.     at the federal level?

Sly_ James

Sly James www.slyjamesformayor.com

First, I will work with our state and federal representatives to generate a cogent legislative plan.  I will communicate regularly with our representatives, not simply when we need something from them.  Building stronger relationships with these representatives is key.  As mayor, I will work to ensure that we work together with our state and federal representatives to achieve realistic goals, both short and long-term.  I am proud to be endorsed by State Representative Jason Kander.

Second, we will fully utilize our city’s state and federal lobbyists.  Political and economic realities indicate that funding from the state and federal governments will be scare.  Federal earmarks should be considered a thing of the past, requiring our lobbyists to advocate for programmatic legislative solutions that would help a medium-size city like Kansas City to benefit from any Federal Transportation Bill.  For example, our lobbyists must advocate for state and federal funding formulas that benefit cities like Kansas City.  This would have been helpful for Kansas City when the U.S. Congress was drafting the Federal Stimulus Legislation.  If we had advocated for more beneficial federal funding formulas, lobbying with similar cities, we could have received a greater share of the funds.

Finally, as mayor, I will forge stronger relationships with regional governmental leaders, from Topeka to St. Louis.  I will reach out to government and business leaders on both sides of State Line to work together lobbying for regional solutions.

Henry_Klein

Henry Klein www.kleinforkansascity.com

a. For a host of reasons, we have not been getting our share of state funding.  St. Louis seems to understand how to secure funds much better than we do.  That has to change.

b. Our best avenue for this is going to be with our lobbyists and with congressional representatives.

Deb Hermann

Deb Hermann www.debhermannformayor.com

a. Again, a regionaI, coordinated effort is necessary.  Transit needs to be a priority.  I will be very engaged in Jefferson City.

b. Similarly, it is only fair that the federal government begin to provide support as they do for other municipalities.  Transit needs to be a priority and the effort regional.

Mike Burke

Mike Burke www.burke4kc.com

One of my first actions as mayor would be to revamp how the city lobbies in Washington and Jefferson City.  We need a more regional approach to issues such as transit that impact our region.  The city should reach out to suburban governments and chambers to form a joint lobbying position.

Jim Rowland http://jimrowland.com

Jim Rowland

a. In general, not just on transit issues, Kansas City frequently loses out to St. Louis in winning funds from the State.  This is directly attributable to a lack of leadership from the current mayor, who has been unnecessarily antagonistic.  I will work collaboratively with Kansas City’s legislative delegation and people from around the state to protect our city’s interests.  I have always believed that real leadership is about bringing a diverse group of people together and uniting them around a common purpose.  I will be a frequent presence in Jefferson City, cultivating relationships, and stressing Kansas City’s economic importance to the state.

b. Kansas City is fortunate to be represented by several excellent members of Congress.  Again, new leadership that is capable of working with—rather than against—others will be essential.  I have a proven record of bringing people together to get things done, and will use that skill set in our federal lobbying efforts.  If we are to achieve real progress on transit in Kansas City, support from the federal government will be essential.  Securing that support will be a high priority for me.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Mayor Funkhouser www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com

a. Our state lobbyists are working hard with our state representatives and senators to make sure KC gets the fair share of what transit funding might be available.

b. Kansas City is actively seeking federal transit funding. That was the source of the $27 million for the Troost Max line and the sidewalk and road reconstruction in the Green Impact Zone in 2010. U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar visited Kansas City in October 2010 to hear about Kansas City’s transit and infrastructure needs.  The City is working aggressively with our federal lobbyists to secure more federal funding for city transit.

TAN hopes you have benefited from this online transit forum. Please continue to comment and ask questions regarding the candidate’s responses. We will inform the candidates of additional comments or questions throughout the campaign. We thank the candidates for their participation in this forum and encourage them to read the comments and answer questions from our readers.


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KC Mayoral Transit Forum Day 5

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 4, 2011


Question 5   Jackson County, MARC, and KCATA will consider alternatives for improving commuter transit service within Jackson County through a federal Alternatives Analysis study, which should be concluded within the next two and a half years. The study will evaluate various bus and rail alternatives from Blue Springs and Lee’s Summit to downtown Kansas City.

a.    Would you support implementation of the preferred alternative from this study regardless of whether the choice is bus or rail? Please explain your answer.

b.    Would you support a countywide tax to support implementation of the preferred alternative from this study?

c.     If so, what would be needed to assure Kansas City voters’ support?

d.     If you would not support a countywide tax, please explain why.

Deb Hermann

Deb Hermann www.debhermannformayor.com

a. There is not yet a concrete proposal to comment on.  I am more interested in a comprehensive transit program that serves the most citizens whether bus, rail, or a combination of both.  This is critical to the quality of life of our citizens, economic development, and the environment.  I am very interested in the commuter rail proposal of Jackson County Executive Mike Sanders and would hope that this proposal gets very serious study.

b. See above

c. Confident and strong support from the political and civic community is imperative and the first priority.  Our citizens have been confused by a myriad of plans and varied support of the leadership.  We need a plan we all can get behind and convey that to our citizens.

All citizens need to understand how any plan will make life better for everyone in Kansas City.

d. See above

Mike Burke

Mike Burke www.burke4kc.com

a. I support the Alternatives Analysis study for commuter rail and eagerly await its findings.  I believe that a commuter rail system must be complimented by a well-planned hub and feeder system and would want to make sure that the system served Kansas City residents as well as suburban commuters.

b. If the system meets the above criteria, I would support a tax to fund it.

Jim Rowland

Jim Rowland http://jimrowland.com

a. Provided that the study is conducted in an impartial, objective, rigorous, and scientific way, I would support its outcome.  I strongly believe that public policy should be guided by empirical data and serious analysis.  Analysis should not be used to simply justify a pre-determined conclusion, but to help us determine the best strategy for achieving our goals.

b. If the elected officials of Jackson County feel that a countywide tax is necessary, I would not oppose them.

c. Just as in any tax vote, Kansas Citians would need to be assured that the tax would help solve an important problem, that Kansas City would be treated fairly in the deal, and that the revenues generated would be well-spent.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Mayor Funkhouser www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com

a. I support the transit study. However, I think the study should be a part of what, ultimately, must be a regional transit network. Jackson County’s commuter proposal could be an important part of a regional system.

b. It would depend on the study results and the feasibility of its inclusion in a regional system.

Sly_ James

Sly James www.slyjamesformayor.com

My support and advocacy for public transit has always been driven by facts and whether or not I support the preferred alternative will be based on the contents of the study’s results.  I am not biased in one way or the other when it comes to bus or rail as a preferred mode of transit.

Although I do not support any tax increases at this time due to the budget crisis we’re facing in Kansas City and the ongoing economic recession, I am a transit advocate and will be supportive of thoughtful proposals to improve public transit.

To be clear, we have a lot of work to do with Kansas City and Jackson County voters before we ask them to open up their pocketbooks for a new tax.

First, we must restore trust in City Hall and confidence that we are spending tax dollars wisely. As I mentioned before, I will make sure that money goes to the purpose specified by voters.  For example, I will make sure that the tax revenue voters devoted to the KCATA gets to the KCATA.  Withholding such devoted funds breeds the type of widespread distrust of City Hall that must be fixed.

Henry_Klein

Henry Klein www.kleinforkansascity.com

a. Yes, provided that the return on investment (roi) was better from the one chosen.

b.  Possibly, again provided the return on investment made sense.

c.  The issue here is simply that we have to assure voters that the overall cost of the system is something we can afford and provides a net overall positive good to the city and the county.

Day 6   State and Federal Transit Issues

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KC Mayoral Transit Forum Day 4

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 3, 2011


Questions 4   Expansion of transit service outside Kansas City has been under discussion for some time, and one approach is for counties to establish their own transit funding mechanisms.  Suppose Jackson County were to propose a 1/10-cent countywide sales tax to fund transit improvements in the near term. The tax would primarily, though not exclusively, fund intra-regional buses in commuter corridors.

a.    Would you support county tax levies for transit?

b.    If so, what would be needed to assure Kansas City voters’ support?

c.     If you would not support county tax levies for transit, please explain why.

Mike Burke

Mike Burke www.burke4kc.com

a. If Jackson County proposed a transit tax and a startup system, I would need to know how it interfaced with city transit systems and what form of governance before I could endorse it. I would also want to make sure that a one county tax would not adversely impact the ability to develop a more comprehensive multicounty system.

Jim Rowland

Jim Rowland http://jimrowland.com

a. I will work collaboratively with Jackson County and other metropolitan governments to find solutions on this issue.  Whether the County would move forward with an initiative like the one outlined above is for its elected leaders to determine.  I am concerned about taxes in general, in that some people view them as the only solution.  I was able to create comprehensive Citywide recycling without a tax increase after previous councils failed multiple times with implementing the program through a sales tax election. I mention this only to demonstrate the point that it is sometimes possible to achieve our goals without making taxation the option of first resort.

b. Just as in any tax vote, Kansas Citians would need to be assured that the tax would help solve an important problem, that Kansas City would be treated fairly in the deal, and that the revenues generated would be well-spent.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Mayor Funkhouser www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com

a. While individual county taxes would help with the funding gap, transit needs to be addressed by the region collectively.  I support an integrated, regional, multi-modal public mass transit system. I would consider supporting a ballot measure for a regional dedicated tax for mass transit if it met the following criteria:

  • Funded by the entire region.
  • Integrated into the existing transportation network.
  • Multi-modal, including commuter rail, modern streetcars, light rail, bus, BRT, and bicycle and pedestrian trails.
  • Centered on downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
  • Robust enough to provide excellent access to all major nodes and employment centers in the region.

I support MARC’s regional Smart Moves initiative. We, as a region, should work collaboratively under the leadership of MARC, in order to aggressively seek federal funding and work with our federal delegation for more federal funding for public transit.

Sly_ James

Sly James www.slyjamesformayor.com

Although I do not support any tax increases at this time, I do not want to take this idea off of the table.  Our transit system is a regionally utilized service and should be improved, and funded, accordingly.

I’ve been a strong advocate for public transit and will continue to be as mayor.  However, we need to restore the public’s trust in City Hall before we ask for additional tax dollars.  The city’s plan to withhold $5.4 million in tax revenue intended for KCATA is simply unacceptable and represents a systemic problem with the way our city conducts business.  Withholding funds that have been allocated by voters for a specific purpose continues to breed the type of widespread distrust of City Hall that must be fixed.  Our budget must always reflect the priorities of the citizens of Kansas City, not simply the priorities of our bureaucracy.

Henry_Klein

Henry Klein www.kleinforkansascity.com

a. I would be willing to consider it.

b.That the return on investment to the city exceeded the cost.

Deb Hermann

Deb Hermann www.debhermannformayor.com

a. My support would depend upon how such proposed coverage paid for by the tax affected all of Kansas City and its residents.  I would expect that if support is regional, so should be the governing process.

b. The political and civic community must provide a united front with strong support.  Again, it would depend upon how equivalent that tax was to the transit coverage provided.  The governing process would also have to be fair to all our residents.

Day 5 The Jackson County Commuter Corridor Alternatives Analysis

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KC Mayoral Transit Forum Day 3

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 2, 2011


Question 3   Money is the main barrier to improving transit in the Northland and other outlying areas. How would you address this problem without decreasing transit service in the central core?

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Mayor Funkhouser www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com

Kansas City successfully won $27 million in federal funding for the Troost MAX bus Line. This is a good example of how we expand our bus service with funding sources that don’t come directly from the city taxpayers. We must continue to pursue regional funding and actively seek federal funding for transit.

Sly_ James

Sly James www.slyjamesformayor.com

As mayor, I will consider transit improvements as part of a long-term, comprehensive plan that brings to the table neighborhoods, businesses, regional governments, school district officials, and other civic leaders from every part of the city to create a plan that benefits every part of the city and one that considers the special and specific needs of the diverse areas of the city.

Henry_Klein

Henry Klein www.kleinforkansascity.com

I would like to use this question to present to TAN the alternative proposal I made to the RTA this past week.  In presenting this plan, I would like both TAN, RTA and the city as a whole to consider another option for a 21st Century transit idea that could be implemented very fast, very affordably, offer dramatically increased frequency and prevent us from the kinds of disappointments we have had in the past in expanding our transit options.  The plan below can both stand on its own or “plug and play” with both the streetcar and/or Jackson County commuter transit proposals.

The points to the plan include –
1) Rightsizing the Equipment/Buses used in the System.  Currently, we do not have the correct size buses for the routes we run.
2) Expanded Use of Hybrid/NG/Electric buses – the same factors that will potentially drive greater ridership could also raise our costs to prohibitive levels.  In conjunction with the other points of this plan, we will likely need to get special federal support.  This support will likely be come if we have a comprehensive plan such as this.
3) Integration with BRT (bus rapid transit) plans on both sides of the stateline
4) An ATA run “Private Investment for Public Good” routes extension
a) Specifically – we create two systems – one that we run as we currently do, and a second, where we bid out certain routes to the private sector so as to expand the system
5) Creating Alternatives to 1 and 2 car ownership through partnerships such as ZipCar
a) Making certain that Zipcar stations are conveniently and strategically located within the transit system
6) An NRG style electric refueling system like the one being set up in Houston
a) Specifically, NRG will be installing charging stations for electric cars in homes as well as have recharging stations throughout Houston.   Consumers will pay $80/month for this.  When you match this to the cost of fossil fuel (gasoline), this becomes an interesting and viable alternative.

Note: All of this would be tremendously helpful in transit to/from the Northland.

Deb Hermann

Deb Hermann www.debhermannformayor.com

If we expect a tax to be acceptable to our residents, then the coverage paid for by that tax will need to be sufficient to cover all of the City.  If the coverage is only of the downtown and Jackson County, then the voters of Clay and Platte County will not accept it.  We will need to find some method of providing service to those residents.

Again, legislative efforts need to be more aggressive and regional.

Mike Burke

Mike Burke www.burke4kc.com

The Northland needs a more centrally located and inviting transit hub where Max lines and feed  routes connect. Efficiencies could be achieved through right sizing equipment and routes.

Jim Rowland

Jim Rowland http://jimrowland.com

Money to finance transit expansion is certainly one issue, but it is closely related to the issue of density.  Expanding transit offerings in the Northland and other outlying areas is so expensive because these areas are low in density, especially when compared with the central city.  My administration will work to heighten density in strategic places and ways, in order to provide the “market” needed to make transit a cost-effective option.  As noted above, we also must work on promoting a culture where transit is a logical, viable option.

Retaining current service levels in the central city is absolutely essential, because a sizable population in the central city relies on public transit as their primary mode of transportation to work, home, and play.

Day 4 we start regional questions!

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KC Mayoral Transit Forum Day 2

Posted by Transit Action Network on February 1, 2011


Question 2   Kansas City and KCATA will evaluate a proposed downtown streetcar through a federal Alternatives Analysis within the next year or so. If it qualifies for federal support, Kansas City will need to identify funding for the city’s share of the capital cost and for operations.

a.    If you support the proposed downtown streetcar, how should it be funded? Please explain your funding choice.

b.    If you do not support the proposed downtown streetcar, please explain why.

Henry_Klein

Henry Klein www.kleinforkansascity.com

a. Since the alternatives study has just been funded, I’m going to need to see more from the study including feasibility.  I am very concerned both about the ultimate cost of the downtown streetcar – both in terms of cost to build and cost to maintain.  I could be persuaded to support this but I need to see the cost benefit analysis.

Deb Hermann

Deb Hermann www.debhermannformayor.com

a. Funding alternatives from the general fund are difficult, especially with the current budget.  However, the huge cost of building and maintaining roads in Kansas City has to be included in the conversations about transit and the streetcar.  The optimal method would be some sort of regional tax where it was supported by a multi-county area.  It will probably require a mix of revenue sources.  We will need to be diligent and creative.

Our legislative (federal and state) efforts could be more aggressive, strategic and effective.  We need to have a regional legislative transit (including the street car) effort.

Mike Burke

Mike Burke www.burke4kc.com

a. While I support the concept of a downtown streetcar, I will defer judgment on funding until the Alternatives Analysis is complete.  I believe that the question of funding a transit system is not a piecemeal proposition.  We should look at funding an integrated system, not individual components.

Jim Rowland

Jim Rowland http://jimrowland.com

a. If the downtown streetcar receives federal funding, I would be supportive of it and identify a funding source for it.  Even if selected for federal funding, it would likely be several years before those dollars materialized, during which time the City’s financial picture may change substantially.  Depending on the financial conditions of the City, I would consider funding capital costs through the capital improvements program, the General Fund, or the transit tax.  Although I am strongly supportive of transit initiatives, including the downtown streetcar, I do not believe that the City should be called upon to bear the whole cost of these efforts by itself.

Mayor Mark Funkhouser

Mayor Funkhouser www.reelectmayorfunkhouser.com

a. A voter-approved, regional tax should be dedicated for this project.

Sly_ James

Sly James www.slyjamesformayor.com

a. To be clear, while I support the idea of a downtown streetcar, I am generally hesitant about committing our city to any new, costly enterprise.  We have an ongoing budget crisis, a multi-million dollar backlog of deferred maintenance, and a mandated combined sewer overhaul project that will cost at least $2.5 billion over the next 25 years.

Having said that, if a downtown streetcar provides a short-term benefit while also providing part of a long-term solution to our public transit needs, it is worth consideration.  I would want to be convinced, of course, that such a project would pay for itself over time and generate revenue for the city.

One of the challenges I believe we face with any large-scale project is that our citizens don’t trust how we are taking in money or giving it out. With that in mind, I will re-establish the Citizens’ Commission on Municipal Revenue.

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