18 May saw the introduction of passenger service on the USD 62M, 0.7-mile (1.1km) extension of the Kansa City Streetcar to the city’s River Market on the Berkeley Riverfront. The extension in part of a larger redevelopment of the riverfront area that includes the addition of a pathway to the Grand Boulevard Bridge with separation of motor vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians. Mayor Quinton Lucas said, ‘The Riverfront Extension connects neighbourhoods, opens the river to more Kansas Citians, and shows what is possible when we invest in smart, sustainable transit. From the University of Minnesota Kansas City at 51st Street to the Riverfront the Kansas City Streetcar keeps weaving our city together, and the latest extension is proof that we are committed to making Kansas City more accessible for all’. Construction of the Riverfront Extension began in 2024 and was helped by a USD 13M federal grant. The Streetcar (tram) is free to ride and runs from 05.00 to 24.00 (o1.00 on Friday and Saturday) every 10-15 minutes.
KC Streetcar, that started operating in May 2016, is now 6.5 miles (10.4km) long with a fleet of 14 CAF Urbos 3 trams that carry 2.2M passengers/year.
Passengers board the Kansas City Streetcar at ~Riverfront on 18 May. (S. Hawley-Bates)
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