This story is part of an ongoing series, On Track with KC. If you have questions about the extension of the streetcar, you can submit them here.
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Kansas City Streetcar staffers are training operators to use the Main Street extension before opening the route to public service.
The KC Streetcar Authority said the new 3.5-mile route will open in the fall. It extends the current streetcar route south from Union Station to the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
Brandon Johnson is an operations supervisor. He is helping train operators for the extension.
“Everybody is excited; it’s like Christmas,” he said.
But Johnson said it’s not as easy as pressing “go” as the streetcar sticks to the tracks.
“I hadn’t really thought about it,” admitted Debbie Webster, who rode the streetcar for the first time last week.
There are more hills on the extension, and more platform stops on an incline.
Streetcars will travel up to 30 miles per hour on certain sections of the new extension, as opposed to 20-25 mph on the current line.
Vehicles will drive parallel to the streetcars on the new route, unlike downtown. Johnson is training operators to be defensive and anticipate drivers cutting off the streetcar.
“Always gotta be focused,” Johnson said of his No. 1 rule for operators.
The streetcar is more than tripling the number of operators on staff. Starting in August, operators will simulate full streetcar service with multiple streetcars on the route, basically running operations without passengers.
Eight new streetcars were added to the existing fleet to handle an anticipated increase in ridership.
The new streetcars have improved safety features and lighting, which operators are learning.
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Johnson is also reminding operators to have fun and enjoy new surroundings after nine years in downtown.
“Now, I get to see the Plaza,” he said. “Now, I get to see UMKC. Now, I get to see all the different grocery stores and things. It’s really neat.”
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KSHB 41 reporter Charlie Keegan covers politics in Kansas, Missouri and at the local level. Share your story idea with Charlie.