Comments on: The Transit Candidates

By: Joe Medley

Joe Medley — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:51:25 +0000

“What does a mayor do when then have multiple meetings at various locations
around the city and they ride the bus?”

Those of us who ride the bus don’t use it exclusively. Sometimes it’s just
not practical. I use the bus 95 percent of the time.

By: Jim

Jim — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 17:16:27 +0000

My mind is made up as well – thanks for this valuable public service. It is good to know which
of our potential elected officials is in touch with Kansas City residents and KC development
and which of the candidates wants us to believe they have KC development at heart. Given the numerous studies
that connect improved transit systems with economic development, it seems unfathomable and more
than a bit amateurish that candidates such as the ones mentioned above (and I include those who left early) would not “get” the importance of solid transit.

By: DaveKCMO

DaveKCMO — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 02:29:53 +0000

i think my mind is made up… deth and mark!

By: KC Light Rail » A Light Rail Runs Through It

KC Light Rail » A Light Rail Runs Through It — Mon, 12 Feb 2007 02:27:56 +0000

[...] So much is going on in the Kansas City mayoral race that many voters have found it hard to keep up with the 10 city council races that are flying under the radar (each of KC’s six districts has two seats — in-district and at-large). Dangerblog posts some responses from 4th district candidates on whether they currently use, or would pledge to use, the existing bus system if elected. A critical portion of any future light rail line would slice through the “Fightin’ Fourth”, as it is home to UMKC, the Plaza, Westport Road, Crown Center, and Union Station. The streets of the 4th district currently host a major portion of the existing MAX bus rapid transit route. [...]

By: Mike McKelley

Mike McKelley — Sat, 10 Feb 2007 00:11:58 +0000

Thanks for the response. The cost of leasing and gassing up a Lincoln plus the
wages and benefits of a police officer, that’s one expensive trip to the laundry.
It would seem that Glover’s idea of getting a hybrid would be more cost-effective
(I assume the bodyguard is a given)since it appears that getting to and from work
is just a drop-in-the-bucket.
I’d rather have the mayor working than sitting on a bus an hour or more per day.
I can just imagine the mayor trying to work on the bus and being interrupted about
two dozen times.It really seems impractical despite being a PC thing to do.

By: heidi

heidi — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 20:46:09 +0000

Perhaps if a mayor or councilperson committed to getting to *all* meetings and events by transit only (could still travel with an officer) for just even a week or a month, they would be more committed to improving transit city and region-wide.

By: dangerboy

dangerboy — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 18:28:09 +0000

The city leases a Lincoln Town Car and a KCPD officer acts as the mayor’s bodyguard and chauffeur – driving them between home and City Hall and to any meetings or public appearances.

By: Mike McKelley

Mike McKelley — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 17:57:25 +0000

What does a mayor do when then have multiple meetings at various locations
around the city and they ride the bus? Do they take taxis at taxpayer expense,
is there a city vehicle available for them to use? This looks good on paper, but
is it practical?