KCRag Forum

town cow wrote: ↑Thu Oct 10, 2019 12:19 pm So, visit any of the new shelters heading out of the loop at evening rush hour. Folks sitting on the bench inside the shelter are asking others which bus is coming--try it yourself. When the bus stops (marker or sign post), people queue up along the curb, next to the shelter.

I’ll take a look, thanks.

Opening date is set for Monday, Dec. 9!

DaveKCMO wrote: ↑Mon Oct 14, 2019 7:10 pm Opening date is set for Monday, Dec. 9!

https://www.masstransitmag.com/bus/arti ... t-on-dec-9

Launch video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_eU4gg0HVY

Service begins tomorrow and will be FREE to ride through Feb. 29, 2020!

Dave those platforms look like they have future bendy buses in mind!

smh wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 11:06 am Dave those platforms look like they have future bendy buses in mind!

Nope! That's a whole other ball of wax...

Coverage:

https://www.kcur.org/post/kansas-citian ... w#stream/0
https://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/ne ... ice-monday

Any sign of significant rider increase on first day?

earthling wrote: ↑Mon Dec 09, 2019 3:10 pm Any sign of significant rider increase on first day?

It's free so I would hope so.

Dave, given no fare box how will ridership be tracked? Does it use a similar tech that streetcar uses? Do drivers click a counter? How's the first couple days with Prospect MAX going? Am in FL for a couple months, would otherwise try it.

earthling wrote: ↑Tue Dec 10, 2019 10:02 am Dave, given no fare box how will ridership be tracked? Does it use a similar tech that streetcar uses? Do drivers click a counter? How's the first couple days with Prospect MAX going? Am in FL for a couple months, would otherwise try it.

All of the PMAX buses are equipped with the same modern passenger counters used on the streetcar. First day had a few bumps, but the service is running end-to-end.

Dave, any indication on daily ridership of free MAX compared to old Prospect bus line?

earthling wrote: ↑Sat Dec 14, 2019 10:30 am Dave, any indication on daily ridership of free MAX compared to old Prospect bus line?

I’ll get a full report on Monday. First day was average for this time of year on the 71. I think the free to ride promotion took some time to get out.

One month in with zero fare on Prospect MAX and no major onboard disruptions in over 100,000 trips. Here's the automated snowmelt system in action today at 12th & Grand:

Dave, how much of an increase has this line seen vs the other ones. I’m curious how BRT combined with free to ride will play out with ridership numbers.

Riverite wrote: ↑Sat Jan 11, 2020 7:52 pm Dave, how much of an increase has this line seen vs the other ones. I’m curious how BRT combined with free to ride will play out with ridership numbers.

Not much. This is an interesting corridor that's been stricken by massive population declines and public safety issues. We're much more focused on the long-term health of the corridor rather than short-term ridership gains.

By comparison, Main saw a big increase after MAX 2005 and Troost saw a 10% boost in 2011. In the current environment, however, everything is down so...

Would imagine that line already has established those who need to take the bus. The free aspect will hopefully attract more riders over time but 90 days may not be enough to build up a new base.

I recall reading awhile back that the City was looking into some sort of plan to build back housing and population in the area along Prospect, especially near the grocery store in the Linwood Shopping Center.

FangKC wrote: ↑Mon Jan 13, 2020 2:03 pm I recall reading awhile back that the City was looking into some sort of plan to build back housing and population in the area along Prospect, especially near the grocery store in the Linwood Shopping Center.

There are about five (?) projects that are funded by the Central City Sales Tax that are located at Prospect MAX stations. Most of them have a housing component.

https://twitter.com/RMakinen/status/1232038324447125504

The zero fare on Prospect MAX has also been extended indefinitely.