The signs have taunted me for months: "MAX is coming to Troost." But a few months ago, I noticed bright, freshly poured blocks of concrete at each future station spot along the stretch of road that makes up Troost. Recently construction workers have worked at a handful of these stations-to-be and this week, I've seen new MAX stations on 82nd and 55th streets.
The MAX line along Troost will be the "second bus rapid transit line" in the city -- with intersections outfitted with technology that lengthens green lights and shortens red ones when buses are running late. With the MAX's credo of "fewer stations for faster service," the hope is that the newest addition will improve transportation through one of the city's major thoroughfares. I e-mailed Cindy Baker, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, to get some answers.
Pitch: How many Troost MAX stations will there be?
Cindy Baker: 47 stations
P: Why was Troost the next street to get Max buses?
CB: The success of MAX
on Main paved the way for a second Bus Rapid Transit line that will open
in 2010. MAX on Troost will not only provide an exciting transit
upgrade for The Metro's highest ridership route, but will also
contribute to revitalizing the Troost corridor. This investment is
intended to significantly improve service and amenities for existing
riders, while also attracting new riders to transit.
P: Can you describe some of the new route's features?
CB: MAX on Troost will
be dubbed the "green" route featuring the regiogn's first hybrid
vehicles, incorporating environmentally friendly features and using the
color green to differentiate from Main Street MAX's orange identity. All
of this is in addition to the standard MAX features in place on Main
Street.
P: When is construction projected to be done?
CB: Fall 2010
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