Your RideKC guide to the solar eclipse

On Monday, Aug. 21, 2017, Kansas City will be in the path of a total solar eclipse. The path of the moon will completely cover the sun. The corona (the sun’s tenuous atmosphere) will be visible. According to NASA, a total solar eclipse is “one of nature’s most awe inspiring sights.”

RideKC is preparing for the solar eclipse, with plans that will keep customers safe and allow people to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime eclipse. Looking for a watch party to celebrate the 2017 Solar Eclipse? Take RideKC to any of these local events. Be sure to check if tickets or preregistration are required:

City Market's Total Eclipse Watch Party: Event link 
Routes: Main Street MAX, KC Streetcar, 10, 85, 77, 103, 201

Kansas City T-Bones Solar Eclipse Viewing Party: Event link 
Routes: 101, 116

Experience the Eclipse at Science City: Event link
Routes: Main Street MAX, KC Streetcar, 23, 27, 55, 47, 51, 77, 201

Not going to an event? Buses will stop for a few minutes to ensure safety and to allow riders to check out the eclipse.

RideKC Bus operators and RideKC Freedom paratransit drivers will pull over to a safe location at 1:05 p.m., to ensure the safety of our passengers. Customers will be allowed to get off the bus to view the eclipse, expected to occur at 1:09 p.m. RideKC Bus and RideKC Freedom services will resume travel shortly after 1:10 p.m.

RideKC may experience delays before and after the eclipse. Heavy traffic is expected as residents and visitors to the area travel to and from the path of the eclipse.  Bus tracking for KCATA buses is available on our website at www.RideKC.org.

Source: NSF

Tips for viewing the eclipse

• Protect your eyes. Do not look at the partial or total solar eclipse without proper eye protection. The only safe way to look directly at the sun is through special-purpose solar filters, such as “eclipse glasses” or hand-held solar viewers. If you buy eclipse glasses, buy from a reputable vendor and make sure the glasses meet ISO 12312-2 international safety standards.
• Don’t look through a camera lens or binoculars without a solar filter. This can cause serious injury to the eyes.
• If you normally wear glasses, keep them on and put the eclipse glasses over them. Supervise children using solar filters.

More about the eclipse

The partial eclipse will begin around 11:41 a.m. and end around 2:36 p.m.  The period of total eclipse will begin around 1:05 p.m., depending on one’s location in the region.

Parts of the RideKC region will have a short period of total darkness, while other parts will experience a partial eclipse.

For route and schedule information, customers can contact the Regional Call Center at 816.221.0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For more information about the eclipse, see http://eclipse2017.nasa.gov and https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/safety.

Heavy traffic is expected in Kansas and Missouri on Monday. Click image to zoom.
Image source: DOT