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(NOTE: I left Kansas City in the summer of 2015, and thus have not updated the site.  However, if you want to know about the downtown streetcar that began after I left, go to kcstreetcar.org) 

by Michael Lewyn (mlewyn@hotmail.com)

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The purpose of this website is to provide a reasonably comprehensive guide to Kansas City's public transit system and to the neighborhoods that it serves. I note that this is not really a guide to biking in the city, since another website (www.carfreeamerican.com) seems to handle biking issues reasonably well.

Generally, Kansas City's bus system is reasonably adequate for most of the city of Kansas City (except for the city's northern and southern fringes); the system's better buses run until around midnight. So if your life is focused on the Missouri side of the Missouri/Kansas border, you might be able to function reasonably well without a car. Unfortunately, the Kansas suburbs are quite ill-served by public transit; the Johnson County bus system stops running after rush hour. (And just to clear something up for those of you who are not natives: when I refer to Kansas City I mean Kansas City, Missouri unless otherwise stated; Kansas City, Kansas is much smaller).

Admittedly, Kansas City is more automobile-dominated than many other Midwestern cities- so you may be wondering who this page's intended audience might be. It seems to me that people could be without cars for a wide variety of reasons; I suspect this page will be most useful for visitors, but even permanent residents of Kansas City might choose not to drive based on concern for the environment or unwillingness to pay the expenses of car ownership.

 

In addition, I hope that this page will give enough information about Kansas City that it even might be useful to people with cars. I recently skimmed a guide to Kansas City with 10 pages of information on neighborhoods, but only two or three paragraphs about the city of Kansas City. I hope that this website shall counterbalance the defects of such suburb-oriented works.

 

USING TRANSIT: THE BASICS


A. MAX buses

The official name of the region's major transit agency is the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA, or "ATA" for short) (www.kcata.org ) ATA runs the bus system, and will soon start running streetcars from downtown to Crown Center.

Some ATA routes might be of more interest than others. The city has two bus rapid transit routes, known as "MAX" routes. The Main Street MAX serves many of the city's better-off neighborhoods, running through Crown Center, Country Club Plaza, Brookside, and Waldo. The Troost MAX mostly runs up and down Troost Avenue, the city's traditional racial dividing line and a major commercial street.

 

MAX buses run more frequently and run later (until 11 PM or so) than most other bus routes. In addition, MAX buses have easily identifiable shelters, which list bus schedules and thus make it easier for you to figure out when your next bus is coming.

(example of MAX bus below)

 

 

 

B.  Fares

 

1. One Ride

 

Most bus fares are $1.50, or .75 for seniors, teenagers (if you are 12-18), and the disabled. To get a special card making you eligible for these routes, go to http://www.kcata.org/fares/reduced_fares and download an application.

6-to 11-year-olds do not need a Reduced Farecard; Children 5 and under ride for free with an adult.

You may use coins, $1, $5, $10 or $20 bills. Be advised that neither Metro operators nor the fareboxes can issue change. If you pay more than the required fare, you will receive a Change Card.

 

When boarding the bus, you may ask for a free transfer, which is good for two hours from the first boarding.

There are a few exceptions to these general rules. A few express buses running to the Missouri suburbs of Kansas City (152, 170, 34X) are $3.

2. Day pass

A day pass is $3.

 

3. Three day passes

 

The ATA also has three-day passes (presumably mostly used during weekends) for $10.

4. Monthly passes

You can get a monthly pass for $50 (except for a few commuter expresss routes that are more expensive); these passes need not be purchased on the first of the month, but begin on the first day you use them. The 31-Day Pass is available at area pass outlets.

 

5. UMKC Faculty/staff/students

 

If you are a student at or work for the University of Missouri at Kansas City, please disregard everything written above. Your school ID card is effectively a bus pass, so you can ride for free!

C. Park and Rides

The ATA offers about 30 park and ride locations; a full list is available at http://www.kcata.org/maps_schedules/park_and_ride_locations

 

D. Paratransit for the Disabled

Information about paratransit is available at http://www.kcata.org/maps_schedules/metroflex .


ALTERNATIVE ALTERNATIVES TO PUBLIC TRANSIT (THAT IS TO SAY, OTHER THAN BUYING YOUR OWN CAR, BIKE OR FEET)

A. Leaving town

The Greyhound station (www.greyhound.com) is at 11th and Troost, served by the 12, 25, 71, 108 and 110 buses. The station itself is no worse than most, but it is in a deserted industrial area, so I would not recommend walking there (at least not at night) unless you do not particularly mind scary, deserted places.

Amtrak trains leave from Union Station (amtrak.com) which is a block or so away from Crown Center, served by the Main Street MAX and numerous other buses (see Attractions below).

KCI Airport is at the end of route 129.

B. Taxis

The most interesting taxi company is 1010 Taxi (913-647-0010). While you have to guess about the fares for most taxis, 1010 Taxi has a flat fee of $10 for the first five miles, and $2 for each additional mile. Other cab companies include Crown Cab (816-753-9300) and KC Taxi (816) 916-4291).

C. Renting a car

If you just want to rent a car for a few hours at a time, the easiest way to rent a car is to join Zipcar (www.zipcar.com) . Zipcar has cars available at the UMKC campus (between the Main Street MAX 51st/Brookside stop and the Troost MAX 51/Troost stop). The best thing about Zipcar is that the company pays insurance, so you will not have to worry about whether to purchase insurance separately (as you do with other car rental companies).


If you want to rent a car for a day or a weekend, it is cheaper to rent from the usual national car rental companies. I have had OK experiences with Enterprise (www.enterprise.com), which has intown locations at 35th and Main (served by the Main Street MAX line, among others) and 103rd and State Line (served by the 57 bus). Other national rental car companies are also located in Kansas City (but are a bit pricier).

TRANSIT POLITICS

Kansas City has not one, but two transit advocacy groups: the KC Regional Transit Alliance (http://www.kcrta.org/about ) and the Transit Action Network (transactionkc.com ) . KCRTA is more rail-focused and better-funded. TAN is interested in bus as well as rail, and can be a little more aggressive in its approach.

In addition, Kansas City also has a bike/walk advocacy group, BikeWalk KC (bikewalkkc.org )

TAKING TRANSIT TO LOCAL ATTRACTIONS AND NECESSITIES- For the full maps and schedules of the buses listed below go to http://www.kcata.org/maps_schedules

 

 

 


A.  Shopping centers, malls etc

 

Blue Ridge Crossing- serving the eastern suburbs.  Buses 28, 47, 251.

Country Club Plaza- The city's premier shopping destination- an outdoor mall surrounded by apartments.  Main Street MAX 35, 47, 57, 155.

Crown Center- A shopping mall that also includes a child-oriented science museum and an aquarium. Main Street MAX, as well as 36X, 37X, 142, 27, 28, 471, 51, 54, 123, 173.
Linwood Shopping Center- in the heart of the African-American East Side. Buses 31, 71.
Red Bridge Shopping Center- At the very end of the 57 bus line, about as far south as buses go.
River Market- almost on the Missouri river, at northern edge of downtown. Lots of little ethnic markets and restaurants, plus a farmers' market on Sunday. Served by Main Street MAX, 110 and 173 buses.
The Shops on Blue Parkway- at the city's eastern edge. Buses 47, 155
Ward Parkway Shopping Center- the nearest Target or Trader Joe's for people living in the city's southwest side. 51, 175.
Zona Rosa Town Center- the major shopping area north of the Missouri river. 142, 231

B. Museums - roughly in order of uniqueness

Harry Truman Library- Take 24 bus to White Oak and Spring (just west of Independence Metro Center). Then walk about half a mile on spring to U.S. 24, then go to museum at 500 U.S. 24.
Negro League/Jazz Museums- two museums sharing the same building. 108 bus (also a couple of blocks from Troost, served by 25 bus).
World War I Museum/LibertyMemorial- In the middle of a huge park, served by Main Street MAX, as well as 37X, 51, 123, 142, 170, 173 buses.
Nelson-Atkins Art Museum- The city's art museum, probably one of its biggest, nicest and oldest museums. Buses 47, 155.
Kemper Art Museum- the city's modern art museum. Go to 45th and Main (served by Main Street MAX) then walk a block east on E. 45th Street until it turns into Warwick, then walk less than a block on Warwick.
Federal Reserve Bank- Has a miniature, somewhat child-oriented museum on its first floor. Just a block or so north of WW I Museum, closest to Main Street Max.
Kansas City History Museum- not really a museum yet. But when its location (a early 20th-c. tycoon's mansion) is renovated it will be. Right now, its just a house tour. A few blocks from St. John, served by route 30.

Science City- in Union Station, a block or two north of World War I museum.

Wornall House Museum- A 150 yr old house. Main Street MAX.

 

C. Performance

Kaufman Center for the Performing Arts- Main Street MAX.

Starlight Theatre (in Swope Park)- buses 108, 121 and 163 serve the park.

In addition, downtown boasts lots of playhouses, including Quality Hill Playhouse, Lyric Opera, Midland Theatre and KC Repertory Theatre. All of these are served by too many bus routes to count.

D. Sports

Arrowhead Stadium (Chiefs) and Kauffman Stadium (Royals)- buses 28X, 47, 152, 170

Kansas Speedway and CommunityAmerica ball park- bus 101

Sprint Center- 15, 24, 38, 34X, 54, 142, 152

E. Hospitals

Bethany Medical Center- bus 102

Kindred Hospital- Troost MAX

Lee's Summit Hospital - bus 152

North Kansas City Hospital- bus 135

Providence Medical Center- buses 113, 116

Truman Medical Center (Lakewood)- bus 251

St. Luke's Hospital- buses 47, 155 (also a few blocks from Main Street, served by Main Street MAX).

St. Luke's Northland- buses 136, 142

Samuel U. Rogers Health Center- bus 24

VA Medical Center- bus 35

 

F. Gambling- The 173 bus circles around the city going to numerous casinos (including Ameristar, Harrah's, Isle of Capri). For some odd reason these casinos are not particularly close to each other. The Argosy casino in Riverside is on route 243.

 

G. Theme Parks- Worlds of Fun- buses 132, 173

 

H. Colleges, universities

Kansas City Kansas Community College- buses 101 and 116.

Maple Woods Community College- bus 38

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary- buses 142, 243

Rockhurst University- 25, Troost MAX.

St. Paul School of Theology- bus 12

University of Kansas Medical Center- bus 39

University of Missouri at Kansas City- Main Street MAX serves the university's western edge, and the Troost MAX serves its eastern edge. Also, bus 155 cuts through the campus.

Vatterot College- bus 170

 

I. Zoo- in Swope Park. Buses 108, 121 and 163 serve the park

 

.J. Groceries- I doubt that it is worth the trouble to mention every grocery store in Kansas City. I would note, however, that Cosentino's has three stores that are more or less on the Main Street MAX, a downtown store (10 E 13th), a store in Brookside (14 W 62nd) and a slightly less froufrou Price Chopper store a block away (6327 Brookside Plaza).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

e. Double click me.

Country Club Plaza

Nelson-Atkins art museum

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