In almost two months, the public will be able to ride the KC Streetcar. Crews are performing a variety of different tests on the three streetcars until then.
41 Action News hopped aboard for one of the last early morning test rides.
About to board the @kcstreetcar for an early test ride! All morning on @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/OWwP7YsrDT
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) March 15, 2016
After closing down portions of Main St. at 19th, Tuesday morning operators and streetcar manufacturers drove the streetcar up to 35 miles per hour and also tested the breaks.
Testing brakes today, coupling 2 cars today @41ActionNews pic.twitter.com/c0kLWsS6g6
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) March 15, 2016
Another streetcar joined in for the first coupling test. The two were coupled together, and each car took turns pushing and pulling the other. This testing is important in the event that a streetcar would break down and would have to be towed back to the facility at 600 E. 3rd St.
The KC Streetcar Authority recently completed testing for those with disabilities. Hearing and seeing-impaired people with service animals boarded the streetcar, and operators practiced loading a wheelchair, while they gave feedback to improve rider experience.
Each streetcar seats 35 people with more room for standing. Total capacity is about 150, although Communications Manager Donna Mandelbaum said that might be too crowded. The Authority may adjust the capacity number once people can ride.
Riders will have plenty of handles and bars to hold on to. Loud audio announcements tell riders the upcoming stops, paired with digital signs inside as well.
Watch @41ActionNews to learn more pic.twitter.com/2spf2Dypaq
— Sarah Plake (@SarahPlakeTV) March 15, 2016
There are 16 stops from River Market to Union Station, and riders will signal the driver where they need to get off at by pushing a red "STOP" button.
The streetcars are equipped with 16 surveillance cameras. Since the streetcar will operate late on the weekends, Mandelbaum said they'll put extra security personnel on board.
KC Streetcar hours:
- Monday - Thursday, 6:00 a.m. - Midnight
- Friday, 6:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Saturday, 7:00 a.m. - 2:00 a.m.
- Sunday, 7:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m.
Starting next week, the public can expect to see two streetcars out testing on the tracks during the Sunday operating hours.
The parking situation is still an ongoing training experience. Several weeks ago, one of the streetcars was involved in a minor collision with a vehicle parked over the designated white parking line in the Crossroads district.
Mandelbaum said the city has since repainted the white line in that area, and in various places along the route, as construction makes the lines fade quickly.
Anyone who wants to park along Main St. needs to park completely inside the lines. Not even a part of the tire can hang over, or the streetcar might clip the car, or not be able to pass. The streetcar will have to stop and call the police. The vehicle will be towed from anywhere between $200 - $300, and the owner will be ticketed $70.
The fourth streetcar is set to arrive in the next couple weeks, and the public can officially ride on May 6. Mandelbaum says in the week that follows the grand opening, they'll hold events and parties along the route to get people downtown and on the streetcar.
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Sarah Plake can be reached at sarah.plake@kshb.com.
