KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Riders are got on board the new Prospect MAX bus line Monday morning in Kansas City, Missouri.
While the line provides convenience with more frequent services, the $56 million project also comes packed with new features.
At the bus stops there are smart kiosks to give passengers a real-time look at bus arrivals and Ride KC information.
Some of the new features also include level boarding platforms to make it easier for people with wheelchairs and strollers.
There's also conductive concrete in the platforms, which warms up the ground, melting snow and ice.
For the next 90 days, rides are free for passengers traveling along the Prospect line.
Mayor Quinton Lucas says the Prospect MA line sets up the groundwork for the future of free transit.
"Having the opportunity for zero fair transit along prospect, our heaviest traveled group is I think a really exciting step forward for us long term," Lucas said. "Right now we only spend about $58 million a year on our bus system. You know fining an extra eight million, it's really more like five million we have to find, isn't that tough and I think what you're seeing from our investment today , our investment in our community is that yeah we're taking care of working people everyday in Kansas City."
Most of the $56 million came from a federal grant. The rest came from a voter-approved bond passed two years ago.
