KANSAS CITY, KAN. ----- Transit riders on The Metro’s 101-State Avenue Connex will see an improvement to the route in 2014.
The popular Kansas City, Kan., route will be upgraded to large buses seven days a week effective Sunday, Jan. 5.
Route 101 has experienced growth over the past several years, and improved on-street passenger amenities were recently put in place. In 2013, weekday ridership has increased 10 percent over last year, with a daily average of more than 2,000 riders on the route.
The route serves downtown Kansas City, Mo., downtown Kansas City, Kan., Minnesota and State Avenues, Kansas City Kansas Community College, and Village West. The upgrade affects Sunday and weekday service; a large bus is currently provided on Saturdays.
The decision to upgrade the service was made yesterday by the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan. The upgrade will be funded by a Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant from the United States Department of Transportation.
The grant pays for 80 percent of the $230,000 annual cost of the upgrade, and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kan. will provide the local matching funds.
“The 101 route has been at capacity for some time,” said Director of Communications Cindy Baker. “ The Unified Government recognizes this and is making much-needed investments in public transit. We know customers are going to respond positively, and we expect ridership to grow even more next year.”
Other Recent Improvements in Kansas City, Kan.
KCATA and UG upgraded the passenger facilities for 101-State Ave. Connex earlier this year. They opened the Downtown KCK MetroCenter at 7th and Minnesota and the Midtown KCK MetroCenter at 47th and State. Both feature real-time bus arrival information for Metro routes, passenger shelters, benches, landscaping, and improved pedestrian connections. In addition, greatly improved passenger amenities are available at several stops along The Metro’s 101 Connex route.
The Downtown KCK MetroCenter includes the historic, restored Winkler Clock, a local landmark for nearly 100 years.
The MetroCenter at 47th and State Ave. (Indian Springs) also includes an 11,000 square foot building which houses Kansas City, Kan., Police Department’s Midtown Patrol Division, providing 24-7 police presence, the Area Agency on Aging’s mobility management services, and a community for a broad range of transit and community activities.
Eight transit routes make connections at the Downtown KCK MetroCenter, and seven transit routes connect at the Midtown KCK MetroCenter.
