KC streetcar passes first test on its own power

Kansas City’s Streetcar No. 801 made three successful rotations through downtown Thursday on its own electrical power.

“Today was a big day,” Streetcar Authority executive director Tom Gerend said in briefing the authority board meeting as the streetcar was completing its first test on its own electrical power.

The streetcar started off about 7 a.m., moving very slowly, but ramped up to 25 mph on its own power during Thursday’s third and final test run through the downtown route. It will eventually travel at posted speeds, moving with other traffic along the route, which mostly follows Main Street.

High winds in recent days have not adversely affected the streetcar or the overhead electrical lines, city officials said.

Gerend said issues are bound to arise with the streetcar’s operations over time, but so far the tests have gone smoothly and well.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised,” he said. “So far, so good.”

Enforcement is already underway, as some motorists are discovering. Three vehicles were towed and nine tickets were issued for people parking over the white line barrier painted on the street that separates the tracks from parking spaces.

Streetcar No. 801 is the first of four vehicles that are part of Kansas City’s $100 million downtown starter route from River Market to Union Station.

The Streetcar Authority anticipates delivery of the second vehicle in about 30 days, or by mid-December, Gerend said. The final two vehicles are expected after the beginning of next year. After more months of testing, the system could be open to the public as early as next spring.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 1:19 PM with the headline "KC streetcar passes first test on its own power."