What I Want in Kansas City: Light Rail, a Vespa
The latest issue of the KC Urban Times makes an argument, albeit a mostly emotional one, that KC citizens should vote for the latest Light Rail Proposal on November 4. I think you could build a more compelling argument by bringing in some environmental and economical statistics and $$ figures, rather than calling for KC to lose its “cowtown mindset” (haha)–nevertheless, I am on board with the new public transport deal, which is arguably the first one that’s actually been feasible. (The KC Star has a helpful article on the Light Rail issue.)
I think Light Rail, slated to run from Vivion Road (North) to 63rd Street (South) would help move Kansas City’s downtown renaissance forward. Call me an optimist.
And while I’m on the topic of things I’d like to see happen downtown, let me say that it’s high time I acquired one of these:
Perfect for getting around downtown, amazing fuel economy…and would probably bump my cool factor up a notch too. Clearly, I need to make some connections at Vespa of Kansas City.
October 9th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
Even better - a Vespa downtown:
http://vespacrossroadskc.com/
You could win one for free.
October 9th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
Let me just say, I do like the idea of light rail in Kansas City. I’m just fairly unconvinced that light rail is any better than putting in MAX lines instead. It’s a lot cheaper to buy a bus than lay down light rail track, and MARC has said that the bus wouldn’t be much slower than light rail. I don’t think it’s the best use of taxpayer money.
Just my opinion.
October 9th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I’m pretty sure the effect on your “cool factor” would not be in the up direction.
A while back I saw a “gang” of scooter riders at 75th and Nall. It was scary. I locked my doors.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
@ Kelly, Wow, I am ridiculously stoked about the Vespa sweepstakes. I just entered my name and the names of all 300 of my Facebook friends…
Actually, I’ll just have to hope that Lindsay or I win it.
@ Matt, I don’t profess to be anything like an expert. Probably my biggest argument in favor of light rail is that it potentially creates new economic growth along routes…and, you have to admit, is much sexier than more buses.
@ Steve, seriously, you saw a “gang” of Vespa scooters? That’s a pretty mod, upper-class gang. Haha.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
AJ,
Absolutely more sexy…which is why I secretly want to see it.
October 9th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
My design studio is doing all the new dealership’s branding, design, web, etc. That’s why it’s so freakin’ sweet.
So if you know anyone who needs a designer…
October 9th, 2008 at 3:59 pm
I am a big fan of my Aprilia SR 50. It gets nearly 100mpg and can max out at about 50mph. Going up hill, however, it only chugs along.
There are a whole bunch of Scooter gangs in St Louis as well. There is not a day that goes by I don’t see a new scooter driving the Delmar Loop.
A Scoot, honestly, pays for itself.
October 9th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Somehow my clipboard went wonky. Here is the link to the Aprilia SR 50.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
I think I was turning west onto 75th street, they were headed east. There were five or six of them. It was surreal.
October 9th, 2008 at 9:22 pm
Ariel,
I hope KC gets light-rail, though as one of your commenters says, more and improved buses and bus routes would be cheaper and quicker to implement. Nothing wrong with using both methods.
I hope those pushing for a light-rail system will also be encouraging mixed-use development around the various stops. Light-rail is a cool thing in the abstract, but it becomes practical–which is to say, people are using it at times other than rush hour–only if substantial numbers of people (of all income levels) are allowed to live near its stops in the city. It’d also help if the lines actually interconnect with each other, subway-like, instead of radiate out from the downtown ares. Otherwise, KC will be blessed with a very pretty but mostly empty–and thus very expensive–train set.
The corollary to “If you build it, they will come”: Make them want to come as you build it.
Vespas are cool, I must admit.
October 10th, 2008 at 1:18 pm
@ Andrew, the Aprilia looks like the Kawasaki Ninja of motor scooters. Not bad…
@ Steve, I’m just wondering how you managed to evade this dangerous band of scooter thugs. You must drive like James Bond.
@ John, I’m also hoping that if the light rail initiative goes through, it won’t play favorites economically and will prompt development along the route. Have you considered a career as a city planner?
October 11th, 2008 at 1:46 pm
I like the idea of a light rail but with three request and one reservation. Request one it be designed by the people who know how to do it like ether the Japanese or French, not by the mayor on a napkin over lunch. Two it is done big and right, making it usable and worth while. Three it covers all the major areas of the city linking them together, Northland, Independence, JC all to the downtown to plaza area all linked to the airport.
And one reservation, this city has a long track recoded (going back to Pendergast) of screwing up everything it does by its corrupt leaders. The airport, the stadiums, city market, downtown, the schools everything it does and the tax payers get screwed while the friends and relatives of those in power make off with millions. So I do not trust the city to do it right, give us what we paid for.