Kansas City: Where the streetcar won.
The streetcar that travels down a 2.2 mile stretch in downtown Kansas City is widely considered to be a success. There are 5,000 passengers on average that ride it daily, up from the 2,700 projected daily riders, and the newest expansions have been approved. Empty lots along the streetcar route now have shiny new buildings and the city's once separated districts are now tied together. At face value, its a success for the city--so much so that other cities like Omaha are considering if its a viable option for them.
The route isn't currently extensive enough to have great connectivity with the greater area, but planned expansions will add in stops that link users to more bus routes. The current route only has two bus links, and they are less that a mile apart. This issue relates to the distribution of resources discussion that comes along with spatial justice. The route is perfect for someone who drove to the riverside market and then wanted to travel into downtown, but it isn't ideal for bus riders as it doesn't have a far enough reach.
The major debate surrounding it is the cost and timelines. The original line cost $102 million dollars funded by the state, federal grants, and taxes. In June, $12 million added two new cars, and a new line that gained approval recently will be an additional $227 million and open in 2023. The money that was spent on the two new cars could have paid for 30 new buses around the city according to one analyst. The bus system already has an established wide reach in the city and could benefit from added units extending out from the main lines. Additionally, the 3.75 mile expansion that will expand the line to the university, which will be ideal for students, won't be completed for another five years. If $12 million supports 30 new buses, imagine what could be done with $227 million improving the bus infrastructure.
The route isn't currently extensive enough to have great connectivity with the greater area, but planned expansions will add in stops that link users to more bus routes. The current route only has two bus links, and they are less that a mile apart. This issue relates to the distribution of resources discussion that comes along with spatial justice. The route is perfect for someone who drove to the riverside market and then wanted to travel into downtown, but it isn't ideal for bus riders as it doesn't have a far enough reach.
The major debate surrounding it is the cost and timelines. The original line cost $102 million dollars funded by the state, federal grants, and taxes. In June, $12 million added two new cars, and a new line that gained approval recently will be an additional $227 million and open in 2023. The money that was spent on the two new cars could have paid for 30 new buses around the city according to one analyst. The bus system already has an established wide reach in the city and could benefit from added units extending out from the main lines. Additionally, the 3.75 mile expansion that will expand the line to the university, which will be ideal for students, won't be completed for another five years. If $12 million supports 30 new buses, imagine what could be done with $227 million improving the bus infrastructure.
Streetcar crossing
Map of bus routes in Kansas City.
The street car line has been added in with a purple line.
The case of streetcar sounds interesting. It connects the whole city by lines which also brings the prosperity along the way.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a very prevalent issue happening in a lot of cities across the U.S. right now (it was happening in Cincinnati while I was there too). I question whether the streetcar is accessing places that buses were not going before (it doesn't seem like it from your map), or if people are just choosing to ride the streetcar because it's the newer, cooler mode of transportation. Personally, I don't see the benefits of the streetcar unless it is able to access more of the suburbs/college community to bring people in, because it's cost, disruption of traffic flow, and unnecessary routes seem to outweigh the positives.
ReplyDelete