Transit Funding, Streetcar Depend on Today's Vote in Kansas City

Kansas City will vote today on two transportation-related initiatives. Once would inhibit the growth of the Kansas City Streetcar. Another would create a tax to find several new rail lines.

1 minute read

August 8, 2017, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"Tuesday is Election Day for Kansas City-area cities, and voters will decide issues related to the streetcar, minimum wage and taxes," reports Lynn Horsley.

Three questions, all placed by petition initiative, will face voters today, including two that will determine the future of public transit in the city.

First: "Question 1 is from streetcar opponents, who believe streetcars are a big waste of money. This ballot measure would prohibit Kansas City municipal government from planning for or implementing any fixed rail transit system without a citywide vote of approval."

Question 2, however, "seeks a 3/8 -cent sales tax increase for 25 years to help pay the costs of a rapid rail and electric bus system." That new tax would fund:

  • "A rail route from Vivion Road in the Northland to the Kansas City Zoo, with electric bus extensions beyond that to Kansas City International Airport and the Cerner campus out south."
  • "Another line would go east from downtown to the Truman Sports Complex with stops at Hospital Hill, Troost, Prospect and the VA hospital." 
  • "Another line would go east from downtown to Old Northeast."

Horsely adds that a couple of suburban cities in the Kansas City will also consider whether or not to renew transportation and capital investment taxes.

Friday, August 4, 2017 in The Kansas City Star

Young Professional

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban and Environmental Planner

Get top-rated, practical training for planners

"Planetizen federal action tracker" logo superimposed over black and white image of US Capitol dome.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

4 hours ago - Zachary Whalen

Overlapping highways

The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin

People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.

September 8, 2026 - Benjamin Schneider

The Hoover Dam blocking the Colorado River. The river's water level is noticeably low. The cliffs surrounding the blue water are brown and jagged.

US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico

A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.

September 11, 2026 - The Arizona Republic

A cluster of wind turbines beneath a stormy sky, above a forest where the leaves are beginning to change colors.

5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project

Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.

30 minutes ago - Inside Climate News

People boarding a bus on Maryland's Orange Route.

Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project

The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.

1 hour ago - Mass Transit

A brick building with a circular sign with the Airbnb logo hanging off of it.

Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin

The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.

2 hours ago - Smart Cities Dive

FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?

After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.

Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold

The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.