(Kansas City, Mo. – Feb. 10, 2016) The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is seeking public comment on a series of proposed bus service changes affecting five routes in different parts of the city.
Four meetings are scheduled – two for Feb. 11 and the others for Feb. 18 – to collect input for service changes on these routes: 32-Linwood Link, 39-39th Street, 54-Armour/Paseo, and 173-Casino Cruiser. (See below for details.)
KCATA planners will explain the proposed changes at the meetings. The meetings will give the public a chance to ask questions and comment on the proposed revisions. Draft schedules will be available at the meetings, and at www.ridekc.org beginning Feb. 11.
Each meeting will focus on the changes occurring near the location of the meeting. However, KCATA staff can answer questions about any of the affected routes.
If customers can’t attend a meeting, comments and questions can be submitted by calling 816-346-0300 or by email at metro@kcata.org. Comments can also be mailed to the Planning Department, KCATA, 1200 E. 18th St., Kansas City, Missouri 64108.
The KCATA also will hold a series of open forums where riders can discuss the proposed service changes, as well as any issue related to bus operations. Dates and times of those sessions can be found at www.ridekc.org.
32-Linwood Link: Route will be extended westward from Main Street & Linwood Boulevard to Metropolitan Community College-Penn Valley at 31st & Pennsylvania. The route will continue west on Linwood to 33rd and Pennsylvania then north on Pennsylvania to 31st & Pennsylvania before returning eastbound. Buses will also offer direct service to the Veterans Administration Hospital. Some bus stops also will be removed so riders will receive swifter, safer and smoother service.
39-39th Street: The overall frequency on the route is being increased to accommodate the number of passenger boardings. On weekdays, buses would run every 15 minutes, instead of every 20 minutes. On Saturday, buses will run every 30 minutes instead of every 15 minutes. Sunday will remain unchanged. This is the only route that had more frequent service on Saturdays than on weekdays.
The route also will be changed in several areas in order to serve more people and provide faster service. 39 will no longer use 43rd Street and Kensington Avenue. Instead, the route would continue south on Cleveland to 45th then travel the existing route at 45th Street.
The route also will no longer serve the area south of 39th Street on Oakley Avenue, East 40th Street and Topping Avenue. Instead, the route will go north of 39th Street, using Topping and Leeds Trafficway to serve Harvesters, Hiland Dairy Foods and provide better access to St. Michael’s Veterans Center Apartments. Service also will be increased so the area will have transit service at midday and on weekends. Some stops also will be removed along the route so riders will receive swifter, safer and smoother service.
54-Armour/Paseo: The route will travel on Grand Avenue in downtown and extend north to 3rd Street & Grand. The route will no longer stop at the 10th & Main transit center. The route change is part of an effort to concentrate north-south bus service on Grand Avenue so it’s easier for riders to locate. Some stops also will be removed along the route so riders will receive swifter, safer and smoother service.
173-Casino Cruiser: Downtown route changes are being considered to avoid anticipated construction downtown and at Missouri 210 and Interstate 435. The KCATA is surveying riders about possible changes. Proposals for changing the route will be based on passenger input.