Skip to content

Talking Headways Podcast: Building a Culture of Transit Ridership

This week's guest is Tom Gerend, executive director of the KC Streetcar Authority. Tom tells us about the challenges of creating the streetcar and a broader regional transit network, and explains the value capture mechanism that funds all of the KC Streetcar’s operations and maintenance.

This week’s guest is Tom Gerend, executive director of the KC Streetcar Authority. Tom tells us about the challenges of creating the streetcar and a broader regional transit network, and explains the value capture mechanism that funds all of the KC Streetcar’s operations and maintenance, as well as some of the project design and construction. Listen in and hear the reasons for some of the unusual policy decisions behind the KC Streetcar, including the fact that it’s free to ride.

Photo of Jeff Wood
Jeff Wood is the creator of the Talking Headways podcast and editor of the newsletter The Overhead Wire.

Read More:

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog USA

Friday Video: Inside the Global Far-Right Push To Rip Out Bike Lanes

October 23, 2026

Friday’s Headlines Shoot Themselves in the Foot

October 23, 2026

Talking Headways Podcast: A More Humanized Experience in Honolulu

October 22, 2026

Our Best Bet To Confront Climate Change in the Trump Era? Build More Apartments

October 22, 2026

What ‘Flying Cars’ Could Mean For US Car Culture

October 22, 2026
See all posts