KC Streetcar
The $62 million, 0.7-mile Riverfront Extension will officially open for passenger service on May 18, according to the KC Streetcar Authority. The extension connects the existing 5.7-mile streetcar route to Kansas City’s riverfront, beginning at 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard in the River Market, crossing the existing Grand Boulevard Bridge, and extending to the midpoint of Berkley Riverfront (see map below). With the extension, riders will be able to travel from the University of Missouri–Kansas City on the southern end to the riverfront on the northern end, with all streetcar trips bound for the riverfront.
The Riverfront Streetcar Station will become the new northern terminus of the KC Streetcar system. The station will include the CPKC Pavilion and serve as the “front door” to the Berkley Riverfront, CPKC Stadium, and future development.
The Riverfront Extension is currently in the Pre-Revenue Operations phase, the final step before safely opening the system to the public. This phase includes continued testing of the system, as well as training of all streetcar operations staff. During this phase, streetcars are actively running along the extended route, including movements between 3rd Street and Grand Boulevard and across the Grand Boulevard/Berkley Parkway bridge.
The construction team is led by local contractor Radmacher Brothers Excavating (RBE). The RBE team includes a RS/WITEC joint venture, Delta Rail, Wilson & Company, PM Dynamics, Boundary & Construction Surveying, IBC, Grey Diamond, Realm Construction, Hayes Drilling, Welch Erosion Control, and Parson + Associates.
Construction elements include:
- 76 new overhead catenary system (OCS) poles, ranging from 28 to 54 feet high.
- Approximately 12,000 feet of OCS wire.
- One new Traction Power Sub-Station (TPSS).
- More than 8,300 feet of new track installed.
- 296 posts with nearly 2,200 linear feet of chain.
“We are reconnecting our riverfront for the next generation,” said Tom Gerend, Executive Director of the KC Streetcar Authority. “This streetcar extension represents our intentional return to where it all started and will serve as the new northern terminus for the 6.5 mile transit spine connecting our growing riverfront to downtown, UMKC, and everything in between.”
“The KCATA is proud to have served as both the project manager and federal grant recipient for this important streetcar extension,” said Bridgette Williams, Chair of the KCATA Board of Commissioners. “This significant investment—totaling millions of dollars—not only delivered critical infrastructure but also supported thousands of jobs throughout the construction process. The northern extension of the main line represents a vital link in our regional transit system, especially as Kansas City prepares to welcome hundreds of thousands of visitors.”
According to the KC Streetcar Authority, the Grand Boulevard Bike and Pedestrian Bridge at the Riverfront is also set to open to the public in early May. This Kansas City-led project adds a dedicated pathway to the existing Grand Boulevard Bridge for pedestrians, bicyclists, and other non-motorized travel. The bridge will create a safe, continuous connection between the River Market and the Berkley Riverfront Park area, separating pedestrian and bicycle traffic from vehicles and the KC Streetcar Riverfront Extension.
“Inspired by the movement and flow of the Missouri River, the architecturally striking CPKC Pavilion will transform the KC Streetcar’s Riverfront Stop into an iconic terminus experience by featuring an artistic metal canopy, sculptural lighting, and enhanced passenger boarding and waiting areas,” the KC Streetcar Authority said. “All elements symbolize Kansas City’s deep connection to the river. Designed by a local team led by Burns & McDonnell and Zahner, this end-of-line streetcar stop with three real-time arrival signs and artistic decorative concrete finishing will serve as a welcoming front door to Berkley Riverfront, CPKC Stadium, and future riverfront developments.”
SEPTA
The SEPTA Transit Police reported a 30% reduction in serious crimes in first-quarter 2026 compared with the same period last year, including a 42% decrease on the [L] Market-Frankford Line, according to the transit agency, which released the new quarterly data on April 21 (see above).
SEPTA said there were double-digit reductions in five of the eight serious crime categories, including aggravated assaults and robberies. Serious crime remains at its lowest level since at least 2015, supported by the largest uniformed Transit Police force in more than a decade, according to the transit agency.
“Since peaking during the pandemic, crime across the system has consistently declined,” SEPTA General Manager Scott A. Sauer said. “This progress is the result of a comprehensive approach that combines increased staffing, targeted enforcement, investments in modern technology, and improvements to station and vehicle infrastructure.”
According to SEPTA, Transit Police are continuing to prioritize fare evasion by expanding targeted enforcement details at stations. At the same time, the agency noted that it is installing more full-height fare gates. The first phase of this initiative, covering 10 stations, was completed earlier this month. SEPTA’s proposed FY27 Budget includes funding to bring full-height gates to an additional 13 stations. Thanks to these combined efforts, SEPTA said, it has reduced fare evasion by 10% so far.
“We are building on that progress in 2026 and pursuing additional strategies to strengthen fare compliance, including modifications to legacy turnstiles,” SEPTA Transit Police Chief Charles Lawson said. “We are also continuing to focus and invest resources on recruiting and retaining Transit Police Officers, with six experienced officers joining the force this month and another 16 cadets expected to graduate police academy in June.”
Meanwhile, Billy Penn at WHYY on April 20 reported that “Airbnb will sponsor Broad Street Line trains leaving from NRG Station at the sports complex after all six [FIFA World Cup] games in Philadelphia.”
The complimentary rides, the media outlet said, “will begin from each game’s halftime and continue for two hours after the final whistle. Rides down to the games will still be charged, but SEPTA will keep that cost at the regular $2.90. SEPTA is also getting an additional $5.5 million in federal funds for extra service during the World Cup.”
“SEPTA is proud to partner with Airbnb and Philadelphia Soccer 2026 to provide free, convenient transit for fans leaving FIFA World Cup matches in Philadelphia,” SEPTA General Manager Scott Sauer told Billy Penn at WHYY. “The B Line is the best way to get to and from the Sports Complex, and their generous support will help us deliver a safe, reliable, and efficient trip home for visitors and residents alike.”
Further Reading:
- For NJT, a Regional Mobility Plan for FIFA World Cup 2026™ (part of Transit Briefs)
- MBTA Offers mTicket for World Cup 2026 (part of Transit Briefs)
- FTA: $100MM for 2026 FIFA World Cup Public Transit
Metrolinx
Metrolinx on April 20 started increasing police presence at Union Station in Toronto, with its special constables working alongside additional paid-duty Toronto Police officers. “This will strengthen coordination, lower response times and ensure quicker interventions when needed,” it reported.
Metrolinx special constables receive provincially mandated training aligned to Ontario Police College standards, with specialized transit and de‑escalation training to handle complex situations safely and professionally, according to the agency, which noted that it is also hiring more officers over the coming months.
On top of increasing the number of staff at stations, including Union Station, customer protection officers and other frontline transit staff are being equipped with body-worn-cameras, Metrolinx reported.
“As we prepare for an unprecedented surge of riders—more than half a million additional GO and UP Express customers during the World Cup alone—safety remains our top priority,” said Michael Lindsay Metrolinx President and CEO. “Enhanced Transit Safety Officer coverage and increased police presence are all part of the comprehensive planning we’ve been doing for months to ensure every rider, whether they’re heading to a match, a concert or their daily commute, feels confident on our system.”
Meanwhile, the Ontario government is extending GO train service to Stratford beginning July 6, 2026, with the Kitchener GO Line offering one daily round trip between Stratford and Toronto. GO train service to and from Stratford Station will include stops in Kitchener, Guelph, Acton, Georgetown and Brampton.
“We are delighted to extend GO train service to Stratford,” Michael Lindsay said. “The GO network has grown to mean so much more than just a way to get to work; it’s a vital link for people looking to enjoy recreation, leisure and cultural activities across our region. My family makes the trip to the Stratford Festival every year, and I’m especially looking forward to joining fellow riders who will now be able to make that journey by rail. By enhancing accessibility for both residents and visitors, we are proud to play a role in supporting local growth and strengthening ties between communities across Southwestern Ontario.”
According to the Beacon Herald in Toronto, “Stratford has been without a GO Transit service for the past year-and-a-half after a two-year pilot project that offered service between London and Toronto, including a local stops in Stratford and St. Marys, came to an end.” The media outlet reported that the newly announced permanent train service “will depart the local Via Rail station at 6:16 a.m. on weekdays and will leave Toronto at 5 p.m. arriving in Stratford at 7:30 p.m. On weekends, the train will leave Toronto in the morning and return to Stratford at in the evening.”
BART
BART on April 20 started running a blue railcar wrapped in “BARTy mascots,” as part of what it called “an ongoing effort to explore new and creative revenue opportunities” while it addresses a “significant fiscal cliff.”
The BARTy design is being used as a test for wrapping new Fleet of the Future railcars from Alstom in paid advertisements. At the same time, BART said it “continues to implement cost-cutting measures that have already reduced expenses by hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“This is a fun and creative way to connect with riders while exploring a new source of revenue,” said Dave Martindale, Director of BART Marketing and Research. “If this pilot proves successful, train wraps could become a unique platform for advertisers and help support the transit service our riders rely on.”
BART previously sold railcar wraps for its now-retired legacy fleet. This pilot will help determine how the new cars, which have a different exterior finish, perform with wrap materials, including durability, appearance, and maintenance over time in real-world conditions, according to the transit agency.
Following the test, BART said staff will evaluate whether selling railcar wraps is a viable long-term option for advertisers.
“Wrapping a [railcar] is a detailed, hands-on process that requires precision and coordination with our maintenance schedules,” said Catherine Westphall, Manager of BART’s Advertising Franchise Program. “This pilot helps us understand how the material performs on our Fleet of the Future cars and what it would take to scale this as a revenue program without impacting service.”
Further Reading:
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