First Steps for Possible Independence Bus Rapid Transit

RideKC held a public meeting for the Independence Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Planning and Feasibility Study on Tuesday, April 17. The meeting was attended by neighborhood residents, business owners and bus riders of the 24 Independence and other routes. The goal of the study is to determine the feasibility of a future Independence MAX route. This would be Kansas City’s fourth bus rapid transit corridor, in addition to routes on Main Street, Troost, and Prospect, which will open in in 2019. If built, it would be the first to connect Kansas City, Mo., to a neighboring city, Independence.

The current study is the first step of MAX service. If the study determines that BRT is right for the area between downtown KCMO and Independence, it will recommend toward implementation. It is usually a 5- to 7-year process from the current planning stage to the opening of a MAX route. The whole entire process includes advanced planning, conceptual engineering, final design, acquiring federal and local funding, and construction.

At the public meeting, the project team presented data collected in the project area and information on existing bus services. See the materials from the meeting below.

We want to learn more from people living and working along Independence Ave. and nearby neighborhoods. Take the survey at the bottom of the page about how you get around, and help shape our recommendations for Independence Ave. 

Meeting Materials

Study Vision 

What is Bus Rapid Transit?

Bus Rapid Transit, or BRT for short, has characteristics that make the service quicker and more reliable for riders.

Where could the line go?

We are considering various routes through the City of Independence and downtown Kansas City.

Connections to BRT

Study area

Popular Boarding Locations

Demographics

Potential Economic Development

The project area includes the existing 24 Independence route on Independence Avenue, as well as all of downtown Kansas City and downtown Independence. Truman Road and Highway 24 within Independence are also in the project area; the study will determine if these are good corridors for future BRT service. The presentation and boards at the meeting presented alternatives for different route alignments, and initial data and considerations for these options.

In addition to the ongoing technical analysis, public input is critical to moving this project forward. Meeting participants expressed a desire for improved bus stops with enhanced public safety on the corridor, as well as more bus service, particularly within Independence. There were many great ideas and comments related to specific bus stops, accessibility needs, and desired destinations for the future route.

Another public meeting will be held in the summer to present the initial recommendations of the study, based on feedback from the meeting and the survey below and ongoing technical analysis.

Take the survey