Thousands of people in the Kansas City metro take the bus to and from work each day, but soon some of those routes could be changing.
There are 19 changes proposed by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, but it wants you to weigh in first.
There are some possible adjustments to major routes like the Main Street line. It would be moved to Grand Boulevard. One of the reasons behind this is on Grand, the MAX line can go straight, which the KCATA says will save time.
"You can find bus stops where only one or two people board in the course of the day or even two or three days. You move that bus stop and maybe have a slightly further distance between bus stops, but it isn't stopping and starting at every corner," explained Chuck Ferguson, chief planning officer for KCATA.
But, that means Michael Pittman would have to find a new route to work. However, he said he understands the city's need to be efficient.
"If it's going to increase bus service and availability that's great. It will be. Hopefully... I want it close and convenient," said Pittman, who usually gets on the MAX Main Street line at 11th and Wyandotte.
He does admit, by the time the route gets to 75th or 95th St., they're only four or five people riding.
The changes would also cut service to Union Station, a spot that has been popular with KC Streetcar riders.
"At this point, no other bus will serve the stop on Main at Union Station, but there is plenty of service at stops very near. We are contemplating some new transit service at Union Station, but not until 2018," said Ferguson.
The Troost route could be extended past 75th Street and turn onto Bannister Road, extending to the Blue Ridge area.
Currently the 23rd Street route has three options. The KCATA would like to better connect the Kansas City Health Department and Truman Medical Center. That goes roughly from Blue Valley Park to Crown Center.
Click here to see all proposed bus route changes
The KCATA is holding the following public meetings to discuss possible changes:
- Waldo Library, 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, July 6, Meeting Room A 201 E 75th St., Kansas City, Missouri
- Cleaver YMCA, 2 to 4 p.m., Sunday, July 9, 7000 Troost Ave. Kansas City, Missouri
- Kansas City Design Center, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday, July 10, 1020 Baltimore, Kansas City, Missouri
- Dobbs Elementary School, 4 to 6 p.m., Monday, July 10, 9400 Eastern Ave., Kansas City, Missouri
- Plaza Library, 4 to 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 11, 4801 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri
If the bus routes change, notifications would start showing up in September. Changes would go into effect in October 2017.
