KC Light Rail: Promote It, And They Will Come

By Brent Toellner The Kansas City Post Last week, Airick Leonard West wrote an editorial about criteria he believes should be considered when determining a route for light rail. His first criterion was - moving people to where they need to be (required transit). There isn't a ton of demand for required transit in this city - certainly not enough of it to justify an expensive light rail system. In fact, Kansas Citians LOVE their cars, and we have more highway miles per capita than any other major city in the US. It's great for evacuation plans, but doesn't build a strong case for light rail. Mr. West is correct in his assertion that Kansas City desperately needs to improve public transit for those without a car so they can have access to decent-paying jobs and other services throughout the metro. Unfortunately, in order for light rail to be successful, we must attract more riders than the roughly 2.5 million passengers that use our current bus service each year. We must first attract more riders to the service, prove the viability of light rail to the city, and then expand the lines once there is more traffic/demand to justify it. Attracting new passengers isn't rocket science. All you have to do is ask yourself (assuming you're one of the 98% of the population that uses an automobile) - when would I, personally use light rail? There are four man things that would entice a car person to experiment with light rail: 1) You want to drink at the bars, and don't want to drive home drunk 2) You want to avoid crowds/expensive parking at a concert event or game 3) You're someplace new and a light rail system can get you where you need to go easier than renting a car and finding your own way around 4) Avoid heavy traffic This is why the Airport/River/Crown/Plaza/Brookside route seems like an ideal route for a starter line for KC Light Rail. It reaches the airport, and most major tourist destinations that would attract out of town travelers and conventioneers. It hits most major bar districts where young people gather, and would at least reach a good portion of major events at the new Sprint Center/Entertainment District. It also connects the people who live in the Northland with downtown - the only real traffic flow problem in KC is getting across the Missouri River. St. Louis has a model example with their Metro Link that connects pretty much every major site in the city: Airport, Forrest Park, The Loop, Union Station, Savis Center, Busch Stadium, Edward Jones Dome, the Landing - and a commuter route to East St. Louis/the Riverboat Casinos. Last September, the Metro Link drew almost as many riders in a month (2 million) as the Kansas City Bus system attracted all last year (2.5 million). In order for other routes to happen, you must get people to experiment with public transportation. In order to get them to experiment with it, you have to give them special event opportunities to use it. Once people in this city get used to using light rail, other lines will be requested and used - which will benefit everyone. You can't rely just on "necessary transit" because there isn't enough of it to support a system. Build a light rail system, and offer a free outside concert in the River Market area with free light rail service. You'll have many more loyal riders in no time. Then quickly expand the lines to other important parts of the city - West to the Legends, Southwest down the I-35 corridor, and East past 18th and Vine to the Truman Sports Complex. Use the bus system to link this for the "necessary transit" and you'll have success. Let's start now.