Streetcar returns to Kansas City, Mo.

A streetcar went into operation today in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by William Crum)
A streetcar went into operation today in Kansas City, Mo. (Photo by William Crum)

Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James (Photo by William Crum)
Kansas City, Mo., Mayor Sly James (Photo by William Crum)

by William Crum

Remember the days when streetcars were around. It was 50 years ago when they were removed. Today, they started again in Kansas City, Mo.

I can remember them as a young child, when my dad worked for Jack Borings Appliances on Troost Avenue. How I loved watching the streetcars go by while my mom and I visited my dad.

When I was 13 the streetcar lines were replaced by buses. For a number of years the issue of whether to bring the streetcars became a heated political issue. Kansas City is so spread out and people here are to driving their cars. On the other side of the coin is the gasoline prices – when will they go up? No one really know.

There were studies that if you ride a streetcar or bus you are more relaxed and when you get to work you’re more productive. It will be interesting to see how everything pans out regarding this issue.