Beware 'free ride' from Kansas City
Lewis DiuguidStreetcars in Kansas City will take area residents on a ride for free.
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority took that action Wednesday to make the two-mile starter line from Union Station to the River Market more attractive. The rail system could open as early as 2015.
It will follow a mail-in election this fall in which voters will decide on a new sales tax and property tax increase in a special taxing district to help finance the $100 million rail service.
Certainly letting people ride for free instead of charging a buck will make the streetcars more appealing as well as enhance pedestrian traffic and shoppers downtown. But Kansas Citians need to remember the “free” trash bags and unlimited curbside trash pickup that the city provided not that long ago.
When budgets got tight, that promise went right in the trash can.
Steven Fetter
66223
8 months, 3 weeks agoWhy not offer free bus service on this route, pocket the $100 mil, and call it good?
Kevin Carlyle
8 months, 3 weeks agoAt $1 per ride we’re better off to use it as a way to get to places to spend money.
why get a fraction of a dollar from a fare when there’s better results.
Someone hopping into Consentino’s for $20 worth of groceries will spend $1.80 in taxes.
Kevin Carlyle
8 months, 3 weeks agoSteven, that would require a vote to change the TDD.
This was a group of downtown individuals forming a legal entity with the city to provide money to be used only for a specific streetcar route.
George Hunsucker
Northland
8 months, 3 weeks agosince when is the sales tax for groceries 9% Kevin??? Or are you projecting the rate to pay off this boondoggle????