KCMO Downtown Streetcar

[DaveKCMO]

interview with operator sandy: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/ar ... 03782.html

[DaveKCMO]

saturday 5/21 ridership: 12,116

[KCPowercat]

Next sunday is going to be nuts with Celebration.

[grovester]

It will stay this way until the heat comes.

[kboish]

Ridership numbers have been pretty impressive so far. It is pretty amazing to me that I still will have someone tell me "I just saw the streetcar and there was no one on it. Sheessh" Which I guess means they're implying no one uses it

A similar thought, I just looked at the Broadway Bridge (seriously, i did). Its 9:05am. I don't see any cars on it. Conclusion- no one uses the Broadway Bridge and we do not need to replace it.

Oh and last night it got really dark out...I was really worried the sun had disappeared, thankfully it was there when I woke up in the morning. Maybe it was a cloud or something.

[flyingember]

It will stay this way until the heat comes.

Events are driving a lot of the use and they drop off quickly in July
This is the initial calendar of notable events

May 6-7: First Friday, MOTM
May 14-15: Rockfest
May 21-22: Comicon
May 28-30: Celebration at the Station
June 4-5: First Friday
June 11-12: 18th St Fashion Show
June 18-19: Boulevardia
June 25-26: Makers Faire
July 2-4: Independence Day, First Friday

[shinatoo]

The Urban Golf Pub Crawl was also this weekend. Went from River Market to Wash Sq. PArk.

[earthling]

Would think a big bump for Sprint Center events too. Most event rides might be 'check out the streetcar for first time' rides rather than functional use because they parked in River Market or whatever. Perhaps a high % of event traffic gawker rides like that for next year or so. Might be different if streetcar weren't free to use.

[KCPowercat]

My experience is there are a already a ton less "gawkers" riding especially in the evenings... These are people using the streetcar to get somewhere, not just take a spin around the circuit. They are getting off at random stops for example. This also is showing itself in foot traffic. Last night around 9pm there were a lot of people walking around the metro center stop. That wasn't ever happening at that time prior to the streetcar. Appears to be a lot of new residents that before probably jumped in their car and went to westport or the plaza... Now with the streetcar they are doing that downtown. That's my guess at least... I didn't stop and poll everyone ☺

[earthling]

I've noticed many riders to end of line at Union Station, hop off then get back on - especially during events. A big chunk of those could be gawkers.

[KCPowercat]

Definitely... Big chance for union station and crown center to capture some of those people with better presentation at the stop.

[beautyfromashes]

I've noticed many riders to end of line at Union Station, hop off then get back on - especially during events. A big chunk of those could be gawkers.

Why is there a need for the 'end of the line'? It seems inefficient to have them get off and then get back on. Just treat it like a loop and if someone is at the Rieger and wants to get on and ride through the south part of the loop instead of crossing the street, why not let them?

[grovester]

Hobos

[kcjak]

Free parking in River Market combined w/streetcar will be great the next time I go to an event at the Sprint Center or Music Hall.

[DaveKCMO]

Free parking in River Market combined w/streetcar will be great the next time I go to an event at the Sprint Center or Music Hall.

i would expect the saturday free parking in the market will be a thing of the past before 2016 is over. someone was already charging $7 in a private lot and getting lots of takers. the city can't look away from that revenue much longer.

[KCPowercat]

So did the deluge today cause any operational problems?

[grovester]

Service is suspended at the moment.

https://twitter.com/kcstreetcar/with_replies

[KCPowercat]

Union Station switch issue.... Water related?

[flyingember]

Union Station switch issue.... Water related?

They look to be pneumatic with electric boxes on either side.

That entire area was a pond during construction, leaning towards the switch. The drains are north of the switch, putting the switch between the low spot and them. If you follow the expansion joint that whole area is a water problem spot. The park holds water around there too

This is the third or fourth storm like this since construction started. Heavy rain is becoming more common.

Put that on the list of possible causes.

Being hollow below the fix would be relatively easy. Put a hole into the street NW of the track and run some more drain pipe to it.

[DaveKCMO]

#804 already back out for testing on the main line. free 'bus bridge' still active until service is fully restored.

https://twitter.com/kcstreetcar/status/ ... 7178233856