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.
Read More:
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog USA
Why Trump Wants To Punish Cities For Free Buses
Hint: it's probably not to make anyone's transportation network better!
February 12, 2026
Thursday’s Headlines Come Together
A large coalition is urging Congress to protect funding for active transportation.
February 12, 2026
Opinion: NYC Is Partly To Blame For Failure of Privately Owned Citi Bike After Winter Storm
The Mamdani administration should fine Lyft for falling short of its contractual obligations — and reward it for meeting or surpassing them.
Wednesday’s Headlines Are Back to the Future
Some old Greyhound stations are architectural landmarks. Can they be repurposed?
February 11, 2026
Another Conspiracy Theory, This One Around a Vehicle Miles Tax, Comes to California
"None of this required secret meetings or hidden language in the bill. It only required repetition — and the willingness to treat worst-case hypotheticals as settled fact."
Safe Streets, Workers Rights, Crash Victims Targeted By Big Tech In Super Bowl Ads
Some Super Bowl commercials are ads. And some are warning shots.
