By Julie Koppen
On Earth Day, my husband and I decided to try a more eco-friendly way of traveling to Kauffman Stadium. We wanted to reduce our carbon footprint and skip the hassles of driving, parking and paying the $12 fee. So, we rode The Metro – and enjoyed the ride.
For Royals night games, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) has extended its hours on the 47-Broadway bus line. It now offers service from downtown Kansas City, MO, midtown neighborhoods, the Country Club Plaza, east side neighborhoods and Blue Ridge Crossing to the stadium. Since this is Air Quality Awareness Week, it’s an even better time to think about reducing air pollutants as we head into warmer weather and higher ozone levels.
Julie Koppen and her husband, Jim Gottsch
We began our adventure by going to the KCATA website, where we found maps and a trip planner that made it easy. We learned the 47-Broadway line is a direct route to the stadium, and the bus stop at 39th and Broadway was less than a mile from our home.
As guests of Ripple Glass, the only glass recycler in the Midwest, we wanted to get to the stadium before 6 p.m. to enjoy the tailgate party. We also wanted to meet representatives of the companies that host Ripple recycling bins and employees from Owens Corning, the company that buys the crushed glass to use in its fiberglass insulation.
So, we chose the 5:02 p.m. 47-Broadway bus at the bargain price of $1.50 each, one way.
That’s a great idea if you live where you do. We live in North OPKS. Buses don’t run at night or weekends and if I have to drive halfway to the Stadium to catch a bus I don’t save much. Glad it works for some people. I grew up in Argentine, mom didn’t drive and we went all over KCKS and KCMO on the bus. It was safe, quick and cheap.
Thanks Julie.
I would also point-out that, if a rider tells the driver, prior to inserting fare, that they would like a day pass, the cost would still be the equivalent of two one-way fares ($3.00) BUT, you could get on and off any Metro bus (except 34X, 152 and 170) for the the rest of the night without paying extra. In other words, you could take any bus (like the Main Street MAX that runs south to Waldo) to the Plaza, have brunch or lunch and a drink, board the 47, catch the game, come back to the Plaza for a nightcap or stroll, and then take the MAX or other bus back to your neighborhood (or the free Park and Ride at 74th and Wornall).
Life’s Too Short, Enjoy The Ride!
I live in southern Overland Park. It is a shame that I have NO public transportation options to get to and from Kauffman Stadium to watch a Royals game. I would need to drive a car all the way to the Plaza, find a safe place to park my car for 3-4 hours, then hop on the KCATA’s bus 47. Not very appealing, and not very green.
Was so excited when I saw this, but, alas, we live north of the river. Maybe as more and more folks start enjoying the Royals games they’ll add a Northern route!
We also take the bus to the Royals game! It’s an awesome way to save money and dealing with the other carpoolers that are at the Royal’s game!
I worked in downtown KC from Sept 1977 until I retired on Mar 31, 2011. I live off 75th St in OP, and rode the bus to and from work for more than 33 years. My son rode the K-10 connector bus in his senior year at KU. Riding the bus was the economical choice for me and my family.
I moved here ten years ago and you could take a shuttle for 5 bucks round trip from the plaza, downtown etc. Guess the royals want their parking fees from the lot Jackson county taxpayers paid for.