Connector Shuttles to Augment Streetcar Line (Kansas City: homes, buses, suburban)

[rwiksell]

I've made a few casual proposals in other threads about how a straight Streetcar route, running up and down Main Street with no turns, would fail to serve a number of Kansas City's most popular attractions. I can see the logic of the simple and cost-effective route, so it's probably best not to argue with that. So perhaps the better idea is to set up a number of short connector routes for free, tourist-friendly shuttles, that would run only during the most popular hours for each line. In no way would this replace regular bus service, for those who depend on it. Rather, it would be a way for convention-goers, visitors, and others trying to make the most of Kansas City's urban core, to easily navigate all the city has to offer.

To offset the cost, each line could be sponsored by the most prominent establishment served by it, and large attractive advertising could be featured on the appropriate shuttle buses for that sponsor.

[MLSFan]

wasnt that why they introduced those ridekc vans? birdj?

[rwiksell]

You mean Bridj? I guess so.

But it looks like it's only intended to connect Downtown with the KU Med area, and that's it. Seems more like this is plugging holes in the regular bus service rather than complementing the Streetcar.

[DaveKCMO]

you are correct that a 'network effect' is the way to go. high frequency routes -- bus or streetcar -- intersecting each other make a very efficient system. it's almost like they had the same idea with our street grid! ;-)

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by DaveKCMO

you are correct that a 'network effect' is the way to go. high frequency routes -- bus or streetcar -- intersecting each other make a very efficient system. it's almost like they had the same idea with our street grid! ;-)

Are you referring to the "network effect" as opposed to the "hub and spoke" effect?

[kcmo]

I think it would be cool to see your 12 st spur go to downtown KCK.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by kcmo

I think it would be cool to see your 12 st spur go to downtown KCK.

I thought about that, and I agree. However, I was trying to limit the lines to 5 stops each, for a 15-minute end-to-end route, including stops. These aren't really intended as "cross-routes". Just access spurs.

Maybe this is presumptuous, but (a) I don't think KCK folks have any issue using the current bus system, and (b) nothing in old KCK can really be considered an "attraction" or "destination". But I'd love for them to prove me wrong one day.

[SPonteKC]

Originally Posted by rwiksell

(b) nothing in old KCK can really be considered an "attraction" or "destination"

SLAP's.

In all seriousness, though, Strawberry Hill is really one of the metros most underrated gems. It's stable, dense, urban and funky. While it might not be much of a destination now, neither was the Crossroads 15 years ago, and there were very few people who would've thought it ever could be.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by rwiksell

I thought about that, and I agree. However, I was trying to limit the lines to 5 stops each, for a 15-minute end-to-end route, including stops. These aren't really intended as "cross-routes". Just access spurs.

Maybe this is presumptuous, but (a) I don't think KCK folks have any issue using the current bus system, and (b) nothing in old KCK can really be considered an "attraction" or "destination". But I'd love for them to prove me wrong one day.

Today yes, but I still think that someday Downtown KCK, especially Strawberry Hill and other areas just south of their downtown with views of the skyline will skyrocket in popularity. The owners of those 1980's suburban looking single family homes that sit up on that cliff overlooking the west bottoms and KCMO skyline will probably eventually take the money and sell their homes so they can be torn down and a more urban and dense development could take their place.

I still think KCK has a lot of potential. I just think the city has really seriously dropped the ball on helping make it happen by subsidizing all that suburban crap out by the speedway when some of that corporate welfare could have been used in the downtown area instead. I think it will still happen, but it will be very slow. A streetcar line would help a lot.

[rwiksell]

Originally Posted by kcmo

Today yes, but I still think that someday Downtown KCK, especially Strawberry Hill and other areas just south of their downtown with views of the skyline will skyrocket in popularity. The owners of those 1980's suburban looking single family homes that sit up on that cliff overlooking the west bottoms and KCMO skyline will probably eventually take the money and sell their homes so they can be torn down and a more urban and dense development could take their place.

I still think KCK has a lot of potential. I just think the city has really seriously dropped the ball on helping make it happen by subsidizing all that suburban crap out by the speedway when some of that corporate welfare could have been used in the downtown area instead. I think it will still happen, but it will be very slow. A streetcar line would help a lot.

Again, I agree. And I hope your predictions are correct. And if they turn out to be, I would be all for improving visitor access to KCK. But (unlike some of my other maps) this one has both feet planted firmly in the present.