KC Light Rail

Read about it here. We'll post commentary once we're able to see today's working session for ourselves.

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser will appear on KCUR's Up To Date this morning at 11 a.m. to discuss his regional transit plan and as well as some non-topics that just won't go away (Parks Board… meh). Those not in KC can listen in live over their interwebs.

Check it out here. We'll post more when we finish digesting it all.

Local:

• Bus rapid transit along shoulders of I-35 is considered (Kansas City Star)
• Regional light rail hits another snag (Prime Buzz)
• Trolley plan puts KC on the move (Kansas City Star)
• A common sense approach to light rail (Kansas City Star)

National:

• Gas Prices Send Surge of Riders to Mass Transit (New York Times)
• UTA contracts for 77 light-rail cars, options 180 more (Salt Lake Tribune)
• Vancouver transportation officials support replacement bridge, light rail (The Columbian)
• Transit line potential discussed (Baltimore Sun)
• Planners want Kirn light rail station to have an indelible identity (The Virginian-Pilot)
• DDA looking for ways to fund trolley study (Augusta Chronicle)
• Jaywalkers, beware (Arizona Republic)
• Council delays $2M for streetcar plan (Business First of Columbus)

Now that the neighborhood workshops are complete, the ATA is taking the light rail proposal to the city-at-large for viewing. Two sessions will be held in the politically expedient Northland and southeast parts of KCMO:

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, May 13
Ruskin High School Gymnasium
7000 E 111th St. [map]

5:30-7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, May 14
Midwest Baptist Seminary
701 NE Vivion Rd. [map]

Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser is holding a press conference at 4 p.m. today at Raytown City Hall to announce a May 30 meeting of regional Missouri leaders to discuss light rail. According to Prime Buzz, "he’ll address specifics regarding governance, financing and service. The results of a poll that’s being conducted to assess voter support will also be available." It will not be carried on Channel 2, so unfortunately we'll all have to rely on traditional media outlets for coverage.