James, Cleaver celebrate final project from TIGER grant
James, Cleaver join KCATA to celebrate final project from region’s first TIGER grant
We turned our TIGER Green celebrates sustainable infrastructure
(Kansas City, Mo. – April 21, 2014) The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) celebrated the final project funded from the region’s first $50 million TIGER grant, a pedestrian bridge over Brush Creek.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which was actually a ribbon broken by runners utilizing the pedestrian bridge, included Mokhtee Ahmad, Regional Administrator for the
Federal Transit Administration (FTA), Kansas City Missouri Mayor Sly James and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II.
In 2010, KCATA, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) and Johnson County Transit were awarded a competitive $50 million TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) grant from the FTA to make infrastructure and transit improvements in Greater Kansas City. The grant, which came to a close in early 2014, funded 120 projects across the region, including improved transit facilities, sidewalks and curb replacement, street resurfacing and traffic signal improvements.
Traditionally, TIGER grants have supported only “gray” infrastructure, but over half of the $50M was spent within the Green Impact Zone (GIZ) and one of the largest expenditures were new sidewalks and walkways leading to ADA compliant transit stops where passengers wait for hybrid electric rapid commuter buses and make local and regional transit connections. Regional transit connections also funded by TIGER include the new Shawnee Mission Metcalf Connex line that connects in the GIZ and the State Avenue Connex line that connects downtown KCMO with downtown KCK and then Village West. The final project is the pedestrian bridge over Brush Creek, another “green” investment.
The $50 million TIGER grant is credited with the creation of 2,455 permanent jobs and transportation benefits totaling $710 million, according to Regional Economic Models, Inc. used by MARC to calculate economic impact.
“This pedestrian bridge is a key investment in the vision I have had for this neighborhood for quite some time. It is an honor to be here for this dedication and celebration of our investments in sustainable infrastructure,” said Congressman Cleaver.
"This project is another example of Kansas City building a sustainable community for the long-term," said Mayor Sly James. "Future generations want low-cost, high-quality, multi-modal transit options and they want to live in places where they can walk, bike, or take rail. I'm honored to join with all of these partners to celebrate this project and the fact that Kansas City is a smart community using smart strategies to build a better future."
“All of these projects were undertaken with the goal of revitalizing key neighborhoods in Kansas City’s urban area and improving access to jobs throughout the region,” added Mokhtee Ahmad.
“I am so pleased with the significant role KCATA played in this project including administering $38,686,000 of the TIGER grant, $26 million of which was spent in the Green Impact Zone, and working with the TIGER partners to ensure the projects were completed quickly and smoothly,” concluded Mark Huffer, General Manager of KCATA.
47-Broadway Expands Service To Kauffman Stadium
(Kansas City, Mo. – April 2, 2014) The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is expanding service to Kauffman Stadium on 47-Broadway along Blue Ridge Cutoff on weeknights and Saturdays.
The extended hours will allow customers to travel to the Truman Sports Complex for Kansas City Royals night games. In addition to the ballpark, 47-Broadway offers service to downtown Kansas City, Mo., midtown neighborhoods, Country Club Plaza, east side neighborhoods, and Blue Ridge Crossing.
After 6 p.m. on weekdays, 47 will provide hourly service, with the last westbound bus departing Blue Ridge Crossing at 11:15 p.m. On Saturdays, 47 will provide hourly service after 6 p.m. and all Saturday night trips will travel between downtown and Blue Ridge Crossing, with the last westbound bus departing Blue Ridge Crossing at 11:17 p.m.
The closest stops to Kauffman Stadium for the eastbound 47-Broadway are northbound Blue Ridge Cutoff at 40th Terr. (near the Taco Bell) and northbound Blue Ridge Cutoff at 41st, (outside of ITT Tech). The closest stop for westbound 47-Broadway is on southbound Blue Ridge Cutoff between 41st Terr. and Stadium Entrance D Drive.
New schedules are available on buses, in schedule racks and online the week of March 17. For route and schedule information, contact the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. or visit us online at [url=http://www.kcata.org]http://www.kcata.org[/url].
Regional Pass Signals A New Era of Regional Transit Cooperation
(Kansas City, Mo. – March 31, 2014) Beginning April 1, a commuter can use a single pass on any of the four local transit services in the region. Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, Johnson County Transit, Unified Government Transit and the City of Independence all will accept The JO Standard Express Monthly Pass from Johnson County Transit.
The Standard Express Monthly Pass is available at KCATA office at 1200 E. 18th St., at Crown Center customer service, and online at The JO’s website: thejo.com.
This multi-agency agreement is one of the first outcomes of the Regional Transit Coordinating Council.
“This is an important step in making transit easier to navigate for current riders and more attractive to new riders in the Kansas City region,” said Robbie Makinen, co-chair of the Transit Coordinating Council and chair of the KCATA Board of Commissioners. “This is the first of many things that the Coordinating Council is working on to make transit a stronger travel option in our region.”
This universal pass acceptance is a precursor to a regional pass. A regional pass will be created following the regional fare study that is currently being conducted.
To use The JO pass on Metro, JO and Inde-Bus service, simply slide the pass swipe in the farebox reader on top of the farebox. On Unified Government Transit, just show the bus driver the pass. The pass is valid for fare on all fixed route service except for higher priced Metro commuter express routes and The JO’s K-10 route to Lawrence, Ks.
Other priorities for the Regional Transit Coordinating Council include regional paratransit coordination and integration of travel information online and via phone.
NEXT STOP: THE KANSAS CITY RIVERFRONT Crews to Break Ground on the KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension