Overview
- The 3.5-mile addition began public service after a 10 a.m. ceremony on Oct. 24, extending service from south of the Plaza through Midtown to UMKC.
- The extension adds eight new stops from the World War I Museum area to 51st Street and Brookside Boulevard, connecting key destinations across the corridor.
- Riders praised opening-day trips for smooth service and level-boarding accessibility, and officials emphasized the fare-free model.
- Businesses that endured nearly three years of construction reported ongoing recovery challenges but expressed optimism for renewed foot traffic.
- Coverage cited conflicting cost statements, with reports calling it a $352 million project while the city said it finished under a $350 million allocation, and a 0.7-mile Riverfront extension remains on track for early 2026.