NKC approves 1/2-cent light rail sales tax
The North Kansas City City Council approved a 1/2-cent light rail sales tax for the November ballot. It now awaits approval from a Clay County judge — expected next month — since it involves creation of a special transportation district. The Star has more detail here. The 25-year tax is expected to generate $1.6 million a year.
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I’m finding more and more reasons to move to KC every day. Very nice. I hope you voters will show up in force to get this passed.
too bad that there are only 12 residents in NKC….
Every little bit counts though
actually, it’s about 4,700 and serves as a vital 2-mile link between KCMO that’s south of the river and the rest that’s north of the river.
Let’s see if 1% of the people ride from N.K.C. that’s 47 more passenger for Light Rail for a $120 million. Don’t think the people know what they are getting into.
Need to have a debate on what city services will be cut back, and better ways for transit.
again, both the NKC and KCMO sales taxes are dedicated for transit. no city services will be affected since transit will not compete for general fund dollars (as it does in NKC today).
The “1% rule” for transit is an average for the US and includes many regions not even served by transit. Look specifically at a corridor with rapid, reliable transit and you find the share of trips to be 30% or more for transit and an equal amount for walking/cycling.
$1.6M is vey little but it is needed to connect the northern K.C. neighborhoods with downtown and the central corridor. It is a positive step.
It is a VERY positive step. A 1/2 cent tax is NOTHING. You won’t even notice it in your daily life. But it will provide the necessary funds to implement the start of a mass transit system that will actually serve the community and connect people with other neighborhoods without the need of a car. This is a HUGE step in the right direction. Hell, it’s one of the main reasons that I’m even moving to KC.
If you want to look at cities for ridership stats, look at NYC, or DC, or Chicago, or Charlotte, NC, or any number of other cities who have recently taken the same initial steps toward a less car dependent society. You should all have BIG S%^T EATING GRINS on your faces right now. I know I would if my idiot city council was pushing this through on our ballot.