RideKC Plans for Solar Eclipse in KC Area
(Kansas City, Mo. – Aug. 16, 2017) RideKC has developed plans in anticipation of the historic solar eclipse that Kansas City will experience on Monday, Aug. 21.
To ensure the safety of customers using RideKC Bus and RideKC Freedom paratransit, bus operators and taxi drivers will pull over to a safe location at 1:05 p.m. The safety of our passengers is our top priority. 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.
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.
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 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.
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.
Image source: DOT