Regional rail plan

Hooray for Hizzoner Mayor Mark Funkhouser! The mayor’s plan to create a regional transportation authority (2/5, Local) is essential for the creation of a functioning light-rail transit system for the entire Kansas City metropolitan area. Since moving here in 2002, I have had to fight the commuter traffic into downtown KC on a daily basis, and I have longed for a mass transit system that is fast, convenient and economical.

However, we all know that the only way that a project of this magnitude is going to get built is by collaboration from both sides of the state line. It will take a huge amount of leadership and investment of precious time by Mayor Funkhouser to get this done, and I hope that he is up to the task.

I urge members of the Missouri and Kansas state legislatures, especially those representing areas of Kansas City, to act in a spirit of cooperation and co-sponsor the necessary legislation.

Frederick Gustin
Leawood

Why is the mayor reinventing the wheel in driving out the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority in the planning and operating of a light-rail system metrowide?

As far back as the late 1980s, when I worked in marketing at the Metro, the Urban Mass Transit Authority promised to match city funds to make light rail a future reality someday.

The KCATA, in conjunction with various branches of city government, including the mayor’s office, worked together for two decades for “The Plan.”

The KCATA has a long history of providing viable bus service with UMTA matching funds, throughout the corridors of our metropolitan area.

They’ve spent countless hours, have expertise hiring consultants and managers, strong ties with federal agencies and experience in facilitating a solid light-rail system locally. They’ve got a plan. But now Mayor Funkhouser wants to scrap all this and reinvent his own suburban legislation using urban mayors in the area. More taxes. More stalling.

Let’s assault the voters with a “Think Big-Get Nothing” way of doing things instead of the KCATA’s philosophy of “Think Small and Get All.” Why?

Louise Pollock Gruenebaum
Prairie Village

Comments

[solstice]

And now Overland Park comes out in favor of Bus Rapid transit (BRT)? A seamless transit system, on rubber wheels, built for 1/10th or less of the cost of light rail, running smoothly from College Blvd, along Metcalf, up I-635 to State Avenue in KCK, and from there a swift 23-minute, non-stop ride to KCI. This will kill light rail, which is as it should be. Hooray!

[solstice]

And now Overland Park comes out in favor of Bus Rapid transit (BRT)? A seamless transit system, on rubber wheels, built for 1/10th or less of the cost of light rail, running seamlessly from College Blvd, along Metcalf, up I-635 to State Avenue in KCK, and from there a swift 23-minute, non-stop ride to KCI. This will kill light rail, which is as it should be. Hooray!

[GCYL]

“Let’s assault the voters with a “Think Big-Get Nothing” way of doing things instead of the KCATA’s philosophy of “Think Small and Get All.” Why?” - Louise Pollock Gruenebaum

When will the Blue Max go north of the river? KCATA’s response was never. Farther south? Never.

But hey, we can get into all the buses we want that go around and around in five mile circles. I’ve tired of thinking small because it means going round in small circles.

[Engineer]

Hey Louies, if they have been working on it that long and accompished nothing, isn't it time for someone else to take over?