Since the rollout of the buses in early June, performance has exceeded 130 miles on a single four-hour charge of the 12 Lithium-Ion batteries.
The bill, approved with bipartisan support in the Missouri General Assembly, provides about $35 million in annual funding for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. The legislation also permanently locks the tax in place, meaning it will no longer be subject to legislative renewal.
The Highway Account is anticipated to dip below the $4 billion threshold, triggering cash management procedures and leading to delayed reimbursements to the states. Agency will also have to furlough employees.
The new fare gates will employ near field communication technology, allowing riders to tap their credit cards, government IDs, or smartphones and have the fare immediately deducted from their accounts. While the pilot program appeared to work effectively for the few who used it, Metro conceded testing across media was insufficient.
Inward facing cameras were recommended by the National Transportation Safety Board after several train crashes, including Amtrak derailment outside Philadelphia that killed eight and injured 200 passengers. NJ Transit started the process to buy the cameras earlier this year, prior to the Amtrak crash.
From zero miles of rail in 1990 to 87 miles today and with five major rail lines under construction, including two more set to open next year that will add 17.6 more miles, modern Metro Rail is an amazing accomplishment.
The contract, which also includes providing maintenance for the trains, is valued up to $21 million for the first year.