Tram systems in Kansas City
Kansas City is the largest city in Missouri, in the Midwestern United States, near the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers. It forms the centre of a metropolitan area extending across the Missouri-Kansas state boundary, which also includes the separate city of Kansas City, Kansas.
The city is known for its jazz heritage, barbecue and fountains. Visitor attractions include Union Station, the National WWI Museum and Memorial, the City Market and the Country Club Plaza shopping district. The streetcar provides access to many of these destinations and the neighbourhoods between them.
Kansas City’s public transport combines the KC Streetcar with local and regional buses operating under the RideKC brand. The bus network serves districts beyond the streetcar corridor and surrounding communities, with MAX bus rapid transit services providing enhanced service on selected corridors.
Union Station provides connections with Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner and Southwest Chief trains. The adjacent streetcar stop links the station with Downtown, the River Market and destinations farther south. Bus connections are available at several points along the streetcar route.
Kansas City’s modern tramway, branded KC Streetcar, consists of a single route approximately 6.5 miles (10.5 kilometres) long, linking Berkley Riverfront with the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC). Travel is free, with no ticket required.
From the Riverfront, the route crosses the Grand Boulevard Bridge to the River Market, then continues through Downtown and the Crossroads Arts District to Union Station. It follows the Main Street corridor through Midtown, serving the Westport area, museums and Country Club Plaza before reaching UMKC at 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard.
The system operates entirely at street level and provides level boarding. All services run between the Riverfront and UMKC, with different northbound and southbound alignments through the River Market.
Kansas City currently has 1 tram line. Further information is available in the Lines tab.
The Kansas City Streetcar Authority manages the streetcar system. Regional bus information is provided through RideKC, while Amtrak operates intercity passenger trains serving Union Station.
- KC Streetcar - official route information, operating hours and service announcements.
- RideKC - bus routes, timetables and regional journey planning.
- Amtrak - intercity train information and bookings.
Kansas City’s tramway history dates to the establishment of the Kansas City and Westport Horse Railroad Company in 1869. Its animal-drawn railway opened in 1870, initially linking 4th and Main streets with 17th Street and Grand Avenue. Cars ran on rails laid in the streets, providing an early public transport link through the growing city.
During the 1880s, cable tramways introduced a more powerful alternative to animal traction, particularly useful on Kansas City’s steep hills. The city subsequently developed one of the largest cable tramway systems in the United States.
Electric trams progressively replaced the horse and cable services. By 1900, electric services operated over more than 100 miles of track in the Kansas City area, although the final cable services survived until 1912.
The tramways became an important part of everyday life, carrying passengers to work, school, shops and leisure destinations. Urban routes were complemented by interurban railways connecting Kansas City with surrounding towns and cities, including St. Joseph, Lawrence and Leavenworth.
Although tram travel remained important through the Second World War, increasing car ownership, suburban expansion and ageing equipment weakened the system’s position. Buses progressively replaced tram services as transport investment shifted towards road travel.
Kansas City’s final traditional streetcar ran on 23 June 1957, passing through the Country Club Plaza. Its withdrawal ended the original tramway era, leaving the city without streetcar services for almost fifty-nine years.
Development of the modern streetcar gathered pace with a formal alternatives study in 2011 and the formation of the Kansas City Streetcar Authority in 2012. Utility relocation began in 2013, followed by streetcar construction in May 2014.
Passenger services began on 6 May 2016, when the new KC Streetcar opened between the River Market and Union Station. The approximately 2.2-mile (3.5-kilometre) route restored street-running rail transport to Downtown Kansas City, with modern low-floor vehicles and free travel.
Construction of the Main Street extension formally began on 6 April 2022. It opened on 24 October 2025, adding approximately 3.5 miles (5.6 kilometres) southwards from Union Station to the University of Missouri-Kansas City, serving Midtown and the Country Club Plaza area.
The Riverfront extension opened on 18 May 2026, adding approximately 0.7 miles (1.1 kilometres) from the River Market across the Grand Boulevard Bridge to Berkley Riverfront. This completed the present approximately 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometre) route between the Riverfront and UMKC.
Kansas City currently has 1 tram line, which is listed below.
| Line | Description |
|---|---|
| STCR | The KC Streetcar runs between Riverfront and UMKC via River Market, Downtown, Union Station and Country Club Plaza. |
Kansas City’s tramway uses 1,435 mm standard-gauge track and 750 V DC electrification, with power supplied through overhead wires and collected by roof-mounted pantographs. The route runs at surface level, with rails principally embedded in the street or paved trackway.
The alignment combines running in mixed road traffic with dedicated transit lanes. Downtown sections share lanes with other vehicles, while more than 60% of the Main Street extension comprises exclusive or semi-exclusive lanes. Some transit lanes are physically separated by kerbs or medians; others use road markings and signs, with access retained for specified turning movements and adjacent properties.
Stops have raised platforms providing level boarding into the low-floor vehicles. The platform and vehicle entrance height is approximately 355 mm above rail level. Passenger facilities include shelters, route information and electronic arrival displays.
The fleet is based at the Kite E. Singleton Yard Vehicle Maintenance Facility, at 600 East 3rd Street, east of the River Market. The depot provides vehicle storage, inspection and maintenance facilities. An expansion completed in early 2024 accommodated the larger fleet required for the extended system.
The fleet comprises 14 CAF Urbos 3 articulated low-floor trams, numbered 801-814. The vehicles are bidirectional, with driving cabs at both ends and doors on both sides, allowing them to reverse at the termini without turning loops.
Each tram has three articulated sections and is approximately 23.6 metres long and 2.65 metres wide. The operator quotes a capacity of approximately 150 passengers, including seated and standing accommodation. There are four doorways on each side, with wider entrances in the centre section.
The 100% low-floor interior provides accessible circulation, with space for wheelchairs, pushchairs and bicycles. Vehicles are air-conditioned and provide audible and visual stop announcements.
The original six vehicles were supplemented by eight additional trams for the system’s expansion. The final vehicle, 814, arrived in December 2024, completing the present fleet ahead of the Main Street and Riverfront extensions.
The NorthRail project would extend the streetcar from the River Market across the Missouri River into North Kansas City, improving connections between communities north of the river and the existing route.
The 2026 study identified a preferred approach using a new streetcar-only bridge immediately east of the Heart of America Bridge, followed by an alignment along Swift Avenue in North Kansas City. Options for connecting with the existing tracks south of the river include serving the Columbus Park neighbourhood.
Further progress depends on establishing a funding strategy, advancing environmental studies and engineering, and securing construction and operating finance. As of November 2026, there is no confirmed construction programme or opening date.
A proposed extension would connect the existing Main Street corridor with the 18th & Vine Historic Jazz District, bringing streetcar services eastwards from the Crossroads area.
A feasibility study undertaken during 2026 identified a preferred alignment with double track along 18th Street. The eastern end could continue with double track towards Paseo, or incorporate a single-track turning loop. The proposal would improve access to the district’s cultural attractions and businesses.
The scheme remains at the planning stage, with further development and funding required before construction could begin. There is no confirmed opening date.
The East-West Transit Study has identified a proposed streetcar corridor linking the University of Kansas Health System, near Rainbow Boulevard in Kansas, with the Linwood Boulevard and Van Brunt Boulevard area in Missouri.
The recommended route would use 39th Street and Linwood Boulevard, connected by a section shared with the existing streetcar tracks on Main Street. This would add an east-west connection to the present north-south system and provide interchange with other RideKC services.
The project remains in development, requiring further environmental assessment, engineering and a funding package for construction and operation. As of November 2026, there is no confirmed opening date.