NEWS RELEASE

December 1, 2009

Contacts:
Tom Gerend, Assistant Transportation Director, tgerend@marc.org, 816/701-8303
Jody Ladd Craig, Public Affairs Director, jcraig@marc.org, 816/701-8241

Implementation plans to be developed for urban and commuter transit corridors

A two-phase study now underway will develop service plan concepts for major transportation corridors, edging the Kansas City region closer to realizing its Smart Moves transit vision.

For years, the Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) has worked with local jurisdictions and transit providers to plan a seamless, regional transit system that offers more service and travel options for the public. Smart Moves envisions a network of urban routes, commuter routes, major fixed-route and local transit service. As follow-up to the Smart Moves update in 2008, MARC is working with local elected officials and transit operators to further evaluate specific urban and commuter transit corridors, recommend implementation plans, and identify costs to build and operate new services.

An expanded transit network in metro Kansas City would promote livable communities by improving connections between activity centers and along major corridors, offering transportation choice to residents, and supporting local development and access to jobs.

The Phase I Urban Corridors Strategy will outline higher-capacity and bus rapid transit services for a set of major urban corridors that link two states, four counties and numerous municipalities:

In support of this effort, MARC and its regional partners recently submitted a multimodal application for federal TIGER (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery) funds that included a $22 million proposal to expand the bus rapid transit network.

The Phase II Commuter Corridors Strategy, led by local elected leaders in Clay, Platte and Jackson counties, will evaluate the viability of commuter rail investment in five major corridors — and other transit service alternatives if commuter rail is deemed unworkable. Also, it will include a preferred service concept and proposed financial and operations plans.

The following major commuter corridors will be studied in Phase II:

MARC has contracted with Olsson Associates and TranSystems to evaluate the urban and commuter corridors, and is coordinating with transit providers and local jurisdictions to guide the studies. Both phases are underway and should be completed in approximately six months.

Learn more about Smart Moves at www.kcsmartmoves.org.

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