Local public transportation is set for a major upgrade as the long-awaited Main Street Expansion of the Kansas City Streetcar Expansion Project nears completion. The 3.5-mile extension will bring the existing 2.2-mile route south from the Riverfront area all the way to UMKC, improving connectivity for college students across the city. The project is expected to open in 2025, though an official start date has not been announced.

With two local universities close to the route, the project significantly benefits students at Rockhurst University and UMKC by providing direct, free and reliable transportation across Kansas City. The streetcar will offer convenient access to restaurants, internships, jobs and entertainment, especially for students without cars. The UMKC stop at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard is approximately 1.2 miles from Rockhurst’s campus, a 15-minute walk from Troost Avenue and Rockhurst Road.

The infrastructure is nearly complete, with 100% of the track having been laid, and 96% of the overall construction complete. However, additional logistical measures, including staffing and safety protocols, must be finalized before operations begin. As the final touches are being made, it is estimated that it will be late summer or early fall of 2025 when people can start riding.

As RideKC continues to work, students remain hopeful that the streetcar will be running by the start of the fall semester.

“I’m looking forward to exploring Kansas City on the Streetcar,” said senior Ian Keylon. “Since it’s free, I think it would be fun to go around all the stops with a group of friends.”

Once it is operational, the expanded streetcar line will include 16 new stops connecting popular destinations in the city such as the Country Club Plaza, the Art Museum District, Westport, Union Hill and the National WWI Museum and Memorial among others. The expansion extends south on main Main Street, connecting the downtown starter line to these locations. The expansion will double the streetcar fleet from eight to 16 vehicles, maintaining arrival times of approximately 10-15 minutes per stop.

The existing downtown line is free to ride, and while there has been no official update on the fare policy for the extension, RideKC Streetcar’s website states that using the service will remain free.

The streetcar currently operates on the following schedule:

• Monday – Thursday: 6 a.m. – Midnight
• Friday: 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Saturday: 7 a.m. – 1 a.m.
• Sunday: 7 a.m. – Midnight

The expansion will likely enhance the appeal of both Rockhurst and UMKC to prospective students. Free, reliable public transportation is an attractive amenity for urban colleges, offering greater accessibility and reducing transportation costs.

In addition the Main Street Expansion, construction on another line, the Riverfront Extension, is officially at works. This line  goes from the River Market to the Berkley Riverfront Park, and began in early March. Plans for addition routes are also in discussion.

The Kansas City Streetcar expansion is improving transit and student access across the city. By enhancing mobility and connectivity, the project will better integrate Rockhurst and UMKC into Kansas City’s cultural and economic scene. More updates can be expected as the project nears completion and more progress is made on other parts.