Winter Weather Prep

The KC Streetcar team prepares for winter weather

November 14, 2022

As policy, the KC Streetcar will operate in most weather conditions and the team will take precautions in the event of impending weather. The KC Streetcar will operate with regular Monday hours of 6:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. unless conditions deteriorate and it is unsafe to operate. We also plan to start Tuesday service at the designated start time of 6:00 a.m.

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In advance of ice or snow events, the KC Streetcar team installs heaters on the streetcar pantographs in order to melt ice or snow accumulation on the overhead wires. The team will pre-treat trackways and platforms with a calcium chloride and magnesium chloride blend and use the track sweeper, or “Brushy McBrushface”, to clear accumulating snow from the trackways. This is repeated as necessary.

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The streetcars are equipped with sanders that automatically engage when additional traction is needed on the tracks, which may occur during wet weather events. The track switches (located at Union Station, 3rd & Grand and at the Singleton Yard) are equipped with underground heaters to keep the mechanisms warm and pliable. While we don’t anticipate the suspension of streetcar service, we will operate with extreme caution during this weather event, reducing speeds when needed and using caution when approaching intersections and crosswalks.

The City of Kansas City, Missouri, manages the removal (plowing) of snow and ice from roadways, including those on the streetcar route. The KC Streetcar team is responsible for clearing all streetcar platforms, shelters and trackways of snow and ice. Together, the City and the KC Streetcar work to maintain a clear path for the streetcar in order for service to stay on schedule.

A special note to property owners and businesses on the streetcar route: When removing snow from the sidewalk and/or property, please take care not to shovel the snow onto the streetcar tracks. Snow, especially packed snow, can interfere with streetcar operations. It is important to keep the tracks clear of snow and ice.

Main Street is a designated emergency snow route by the City of Kansas City, Missouri. When it snows, motorists are urged to park vehicles off-street when snow depths exceed two inches. Parking cars off-street helps City plows and KC Streetcar crews to better remove snow from the tracks and continue safe streetcar operations. 

If a vehicle must park on-street, the City requests the following parking practice:

• Do not park along the KC Streetcar Route designated an Emergency Snow Route (Main Street from 6th Street to Pershing Road)
• On streets that run north/south, park vehicles on the west side of the street
• On streets that run east/west, park vehicles on the north side of the street

To track snow plow progress or to report slick or missed streets, visit the City’s website.

Service information will be shared via text alerts by texting “streetcar” to 816.685.8541, posted on the KC Streetcar Twitter and Facebook, as well as posted on streetcar arrival signs at each streetcar stop.