Generic ongoing KCATA thread

[SilentSpades24]

KCATA is a federal bi-state compact. I don't know why a KCMO specific rule should apply.

Also, if that is the going rate for the job that is the going rate for the job. His pay sounds reasonable.

Birmingham ALbama's transit head made $225K in 2021.

https://www.al.com/news/2021/10/new-tra ... etter.html

Seattle's makes $375,000

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-ne ... ulie-timm/

STL's makes $280K
https://graphics.stltoday.com/apps/payr ... 1/group/6/

Apparently he is overpaid because he can't be paid more than the City Manager of KCMO, who currently makes $265k.

[trailerkid]

Crony Area Transportation Authority

Need to clean house with these fools and hire people that actually care about transportation and the people that rely on it.

[rxlexi]

Yeah, reading that Star article recently about KCATA and Frank White III is embarrassing and enraging. It appears to make a mockery of both their hiring processes and ongoing management. I have little hope for the agency or major transit improvements (or successful development of 10th & Main!) under current leadership.

Was hoping someone with more insider knowledge like Dave could talk me off the edge here. Maybe there is enough internal experience/inertia to continue moving on a positive path despite the lack of experience/knowledge at the top?

[alejandro46]

Dave would likely not be able to comment. They are an existing/potential customer and he is a consultant.

[DaveKCMO]

Here's what I will tell you: There are five different governance models in our region and KCATA is just one of them. Plenty of options if you still want to invest.

[SilentSpades24]

Out of curiosity, does the 3/8 cent transit sales tax go on the ballot in the fall?

[DaveKCMO]

Out of curiosity, does the 3/8 cent transit sales tax go on the ballot in the fall?

The Mayor's office has not decided what it will propose, but we're running out of time for August.

[SilentSpades24]

Out of curiosity, does the 3/8 cent transit sales tax go on the ballot in the fall?

The Mayor's office has not decided what it will propose, but we're running out of time for August.

That's not good....

[gfenn11]

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kc ... dependence

[langosta]

Out of curiosity, does the 3/8 cent transit sales tax go on the ballot in the fall?

The Mayor's office has not decided what it will propose, but we're running out of time for August.

That's not good....

This likely going on the August 8 ballot. Ordinance was already introduced

[langosta]

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kc ... dependence

This grant is specifically not for commuter rail. Think Amtrak corridor service

[DaveKCMO]

The Mayor's office has not decided what it will propose, but we're running out of time for August.

That's not good....

This likely going on the August 8 ballot. Ordinance was already introduced

https://clerk.kcmo.gov/LegislationDetai ... Options=ID

Notable: Only 10 years (last time it was 15) and the money isn't earmarked for KCATA (or buses, just transit).

[alejandro46]

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kc ... dependence

This grant is specifically not for commuter rail. Think Amtrak corridor service

I know this is one of those longshot type grants, but why include Overland Park, Lee Summit, De Soto, if it's supposed to be Amtrak? Just to improve chances of being selected? I saw Texas Triangle submitted as well, sounds like that is more inline with the goals of this program.

[langosta]

https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/kc ... dependence

This grant is specifically not for commuter rail. Think Amtrak corridor service

I know this is one of those longshot type grants, but why include Overland Park, Lee Summit, De Soto, if it's supposed to be Amtrak? Just to improve chances of being selected? I saw Texas Triangle submitted as well, sounds like that is more inline with the goals of this program.

DeSoto and LS already see Amtrak trains through their communities and LS has an active Amtrak station. OP is really the only one that stands out

[DaveKCMO]

The BNSF line runs through Overland Park, even though OP never had traditional passenger rail service. Strang Line was more commuter rail and I don't think it was connected to the national rail network.

[SilentSpades24]

That's not good....

This likely going on the August 8 ballot. Ordinance was already introduced

https://clerk.kcmo.gov/LegislationDetai ... Options=ID

Notable: Only 10 years (last time it was 15) and the money isn't earmarked for KCATA (or buses, just transit).

That's an interesting change for sure.....

[langosta]

KCHeavies posted graphics on this project.

Having political heavy hitters already supporting this subject is a surprise. May be more than just a once every 20 years study here.

KCHeavies is well connected at city, county, and state level. They were a big piece of the new terminal project getting done.

[langosta]

It proposes adding 107 miles of passenger train service within the greater Kansas City area, from Leavenworth to Lee’s Summit, mostly on existing track used by the area’s freight railroads. Where additional track would be needed, no additional right of way would have to be acquired. New track would be laid within those freight rail corridors, as well as in corridors already controlled by the KCATA and local governments, at a cost of what the application says would be $2 million to $5 million a mile.

he plan also envisions building a double-track bridge over the Missouri River next to the Interstate 435 bridges linking Platte and Wyandotte counties. According to the application, which was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration on March 27: “The Corridor proposes to create intercity connections between existing Amtrak-served lines from Topeka on the west; on new lines running west from DeSoto, Kansas, through the largest cities in Kansas; east to Kansas City, Missouri; from Ft. Leavenworth south to the Kansas City International Airport (‘KCI’), continuing south from KCI through highly populated areas of Kansas City, then linking Amtrak connections which continue east to St. Louis.” The system would connect with the existing bus network and Kansas City Streetcar. All of this hinges on the KCATA getting cooperation from the freight railroads that own the tracks on which they operate, and finding the money to build out and operate the system. A tall order, as the KCATA itself admits in the document.

[KC_Ari]

I'm curious what the frequency they envision for this network could be. Is this expanding daily service? Multiple times a day?

[DaveKCMO]

"It proposes adding 107 miles of passenger train service within the greater Kansas City area, from Leavenworth to Lee’s Summit, mostly on existing track used by the area’s freight railroads. Where additional track would be needed, no additional right of way would have to be acquired. New track would be laid within those freight rail corridors, as well as in corridors already controlled by the KCATA and local governments, at a cost of what the application says would be $2 million to $5 million a mile.

The plan also envisions building a double-track bridge over the Missouri River next to the Interstate 435 bridges linking Platte and Wyandotte counties. According to the application, which was submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration on March 27: “The Corridor proposes to create intercity connections between existing Amtrak-served lines from Topeka on the west; on new lines running west from DeSoto, Kansas, through the largest cities in Kansas; east to Kansas City, Missouri; from Ft. Leavenworth south to the Kansas City International Airport (‘KCI’), continuing south from KCI through highly populated areas of Kansas City, then linking Amtrak connections which continue east to St. Louis.” The system would connect with the existing bus network and Kansas City Streetcar. All of this hinges on the KCATA getting cooperation from the freight railroads that own the tracks on which they operate, and finding the money to build out and operate the system. A tall order, as the KCATA itself admits in the document."

Attribution please: https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/a ... 00506.html