Independence Changes, Fare Increase Recommended

Independence Metro Service Changes, Fare Increase Recommended for 2009

Two Public Input Meetings Scheduled Sept. 4 and 6

The City of Independence and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority will hold two public meetings to discuss proposed Metro service changes and a fare increase that would take effect Monday, Jan. 5, 2009.

The changes are necessary due to increased operating costs and limited funding options.

Customers who ride the color intra-city routes, as well as #24-Independence and #28-Blue Ridge that serve the City of Independence are encouraged to attend one of the public meetings to hear details and comment on the proposed changes:

Thursday, Sept. 4, 3-5 p.m.
OR
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10 a.m. to noon

City Hall, 111 E.  Maple, Ground Floor, Conference Room “D,” across from City Council chambers.

You may also submit written comments at . or to KCATA Planning Department, 1200 East 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108.

The recommended changes are summarized below:
• Eliminate the portion of the #28-Blue Ridge route that serves Independence using Blue Ridge Blvd. and Sterling.
• Implement a midday service break on weekdays that would result in no bus service from 9 -11 a.m. on the #183-Green, #284-Purple, #285-Blue and #292-Orange routes.
• Increase Metro regular bus fare from $1.25 to $1.50 and reduced bus fare from 60 cents to 75 cents. 

For further information, contact the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#129 And #229 - KCATA Considers Changes

Map of proposed #329 and #334 routes. 329_334.jpg

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) welcomes your feedback on possible changes affecting the #129-I-29 Express and #229-Tiffany Springs MetroFlex routes. 

KCATA is considering shortening the I-29 route so that it no longer travels north of the Boardwalk Square MetroCenter to KCI, and discontinuing the #229 route and its demand response service. However, the areas affected by these changes would instead be served by two new routes.

Customers will have an opportunity to hear the details and give feedback during a public meeting:
Tuesday, August 26, 2008, 4 to 6 p.m.
Saint Luke’s Northland Hospital, 5844 N.W. Barry Road, Kansas City, Mo., Barry Medical Park Building South Conference Center (ground floor)

KCATA will also receive comments at , by mail to KCATA Planning Dept., 1200 E. 18th St., Kansas City, MO 64108 and a special phone line at (816) 346-0858.

The two new routes would be named #329-Prairie View and #334-Ambassador. Both routes would provide fixed-route service seven days a week, using 25-passenger buses.

#329 would serve the areas west of I-29, all KCI Airport terminals and travel on Prairie View and Congress. The bus would operate hourly from 5:52 a.m. to 11:09 p.m.

#334 would serve areas east of I-29 including Ambassador, Skyview, 110th St., the Harley-Davidson plant, 112th St., as far north as Plaza and Ambassador.  Service would be hourly from 5:20 a.m. to 10:37 p.m.

The changes being considered:

Address the demand to schedule reservations on the #229 that often results in service denials.

Enable customers to easily plan and access the service using an established timetable and a fixed route.

Cover the same areas in the MetroFlex service zone.

Under the guidelines, ADA service would be required within ¾ of a mile on fixed route service.

The #129 I-29 Express would also add hourly night and weekend service. The bus size would remain the same. The route alignment south of Boardwalk Square to 10th & Main would also remain the same.  During rush hour, additional trips are being considered to alleviate overcrowding during that time of day.

For further information, contact the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660 weekdays 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Or visit http://www.kcata.org.

329_334.jpg

Buses Reroute For Construction At 10th & Broadway

Construction at 10th & Broadway will reroute several Metro routes beginning Monday, August 18. The reroutes will continue for about three months, until all construction work is completed.

#47-Roanoke: Northbound buses will travel the regular route to 12th & Broadway, continue east on 12th, north on Baltimore, east on 10th St., and south on Main to resume the regular route.

#101-Minnesota: Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 12th & Central, continue east on 12th St., north on Baltimore, east on 10th St., and south on Main to resume the regular route.

#106-Quindaro, #129-I-29 Express:  Eastbound #106 buses and southbound #129 buses will travel the regular route to 9th & Broadway, go east on 9th St., south on Wyandotte, east on 10th St., and south on Main to resume the regular route.

For further information, call the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Chiefs Express Gets You To The Game

Chiefs Express Gets You To The Game
Construction At Arrowhead To Affect Service

Chiefs Express will get fans to the game this year, with some minor changes.

Changes To Routes, Stadium Drop-off and Pick-up

Due to the major construction in progress at the Truman Sports Complex, there is less parking available and less space for Metro buses. As a result, two Chiefs Express stop locations have been eliminated. The Express will no longer pick customers up in Independence or in Kansas City, Ks. However, buses will still have exclusive lanes in and out of Arrowhead, but the drop-off and pick-up locations will be much farther away from the main gate. Fans should also anticipate traffic delays due to congestion. 

Additionally, Joe Herndon Park-and-Ride in Raytown, Mo., will be replaced by the Raytown City Hall Park-and-Ride. The Red Bridge & 71 Hwy. Park-and-Ride will replace the Bannister Park-and-Ride.

Fares and Season Tickets

Single-game, roundtrip Chiefs Express tickets are available for $8 each when purchased in advance online or at Chiefs Express Ticket Outlets. Cash fare is $10. Metro Reduced Farecards and monthly passes are not valid on Chiefs Express. Transfers are not accepted; please use exact change.
The Chiefs Express Season Pass is a bargain for fans attending every home game. For $75, fans can take the Express to the 10 home games. To order with a Visa or Mastercard, go to The Metro’s online store at store.kcata.org, or order by mail with the form at http://www.kcata.org/maps_schedules/chiefs_express/. Allow two weeks to process your order.

Route and Park-and Rides

The Express will continue to provide service along three routes and at park-and-rides throughout the metropolitan area.
3 Routes:
• Country Club Plaza
• Downtown/Crown Center
• Waldo/Brookside
11 Park-and-Rides
• Ameristar Casino
• Metro North Mall
• Waldo - 74th Terr. & Broadway, Gregory & Wornall
• Red Bridge & 71 Hwy.
• Blue Springs - I-70 & Woods Chapel Road, 7 Hwy. & North Ridge, White Oak Plaza
• Lee’s Summit - Chipman & Blue Parkway
• Raytown City Hall at 10000 E. 59th St., replacing the Joe Herndon Park-and-Ride
• Johnson County Transit’s The JO - Rosana Square at 119th & Metcalf

For complete route information, you may contact the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

#69X Bridge Reroute

Effective Monday, August 11, the northbound #69X-Liberty Express will reroute due to a Paseo Bridge entrance ramp closure.

In the afternoon, buses will use the Heart of America Bridge. The schedule times and stops will not change. In the morning, southbound #69X will travel the regular route. The northbound ramp is scheduled to be closed for two years.

For route information, contact the Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit us at http://www.kcata.org.