Kansas City, Missouri, will make bus rides free next year, becoming the first major metropolis in the U.S. to provide no-fare public transit.
The move is an attempt to spur more economic activity by subsidizing mobility for residents. City officials hope that the expense—roughly $9 million annually—will recoup at least that much through a more vibrant economy.
Several smaller U.S. cities including Vail, Colorado and Chapel Hill, North Carolina offer free bus service. Typically, the result has been strong ridership growth.
Skeptics in Kansas City question whether bus service is convenient enough to spur the kind of growth produced by the city’s 2.2-mile downtown streetcar line. That service has spurred more than a $2 billion property value increase since opening in 2015. Ridership has grown steadily, and city residents recently voted to double the line’s length.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 26, 2017
Boston’s Old South Church asks tower developer for $19 million for casting shade
Request highlights ongoing conflict between developers and residents over right to sunshine.
Codes and Standards | Oct 24, 2017
Asphalt roofing design guide now available in digital form
Recently updated Modified Bitumen Design Guide can be viewed on smartphones and tablets.
Codes and Standards | Oct 23, 2017
Energy efficiency investments on the rise; will increase next year
Survey of facility management executives shows onsite renewables, energy storage will spike in 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 20, 2017
AIA contract document updates include new BIM, digital data provisions
Documents are structurally different from 2007, 2008 versions.
Codes and Standards | Oct 19, 2017
IAPMO seeks proposals for 2021 Uniform Plumbing Code, Uniform Mechanical Code
The deadline is March 16, 2018.
Codes and Standards | Oct 18, 2017
States impacted by hurricanes are improving their energy efficiency policies
Florida, Texas, rise in ACEEE state energy efficiency scorecard.
Codes and Standards | Oct 17, 2017
Updated versions of EnergyPlus and OpenStudio building energy modeling tools released
Open-source apps include enhancements for urban-scale modeling.
Codes and Standards | Oct 16, 2017
New, comprehensive insurance exhibit released in AIA 2017 contract document updates
Will allow AIA to make updates more frequently as insurance market changes.
Codes and Standards | Oct 12, 2017
New AIA contract document designates responsibilities for sustainable projects
Roles of architects, contractors outlined in E204–2017.
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2017
Data, transparency are keys to next steps in green building, says USGBC chief
Monitoring and comparing performance are critical to advancing sustainability goals.
