New connections between suburbs, better access to Johnson County jobs, and a new MAX Bus Rapid Transit line on 24 Hwy.
Smart Moves, the region’s transit master plan, is getting a big update – and this is an opportunity to plan for improved transit in Eastern Jackson County. If you missed the public meeting in May 2017, there is still time to provide your input.
Key elements being considered for Eastern Jackson County:
- New service between suburbs where none exists now – for example, a bus route linking Lee’s Summit and Independence
- More service to Johnson County – improving access to the office parks and employment centers in Kansas
- MAX on 24 Hwy – upgrading the current bus route to Bus Rapid Transit connecting the Independence Square and Downtown Kansas City
- Mobility Hubs that integrate bus service with bike share, car sharing services like ZipCar, and ride sharing services like Uber.
Funding is key
Smart Moves 3.0 is shaping up to be a great plan, but its success in Eastern Jackson County will depend on whether or not local City Halls make transit funding a priority. Today most of the region’s transit service is in KCMO, because it is the only city with a dedicated transit sales tax to fund the system. Suburban cities fund their transit service with small annual appropriations from their general budgets. The plans outlined above would require dedicated funding to be successful.
How you can get involved
1. Review the May 2017 presentations
2. Take the survey to share your ideas and priorities
3. Tell your Mayor and City Council that you want better transit service, and that it is important for your city to make investments in transportation options for everyone.