Davids Uses KC Streetcar to Travel to Meetings Across KC, Highlights Bipartisan Infrastructure Investments in Local Public Transit

KANSAS CITY, MO — Today, Representative Sharice Davids spent the day utilizing the KC Streetcar to travel to her public and local stakeholder meetings across Kansas City. Traveling between key stops from UMKC to Union Station, Davids demonstrated the impact of modern, accessible public transit while meeting with local leaders, business groups, and community partners across the metro area.

“Affordable public transportation is what connects our communities — getting people to work, school, local businesses, and doctor’s appointments safely and efficiently,” said Davids. “By relying on the KC Streetcar to get across town, I saw firsthand how vital reliable and affordable transit options are for helping folks get around the bi-state area. Investing in our infrastructure isn't just about roads and bridges; it’s about ensuring our transit systems can grow alongside — and in service of — our local economy.”

Throughout the day, Davids used the transit line to connect directly with regional stakeholders and community leaders:

• Plaza & University of Missouri-Kansas City Stops: Met with community members to discuss local transit infrastructure and economic development along the Main Street extension.
• Winstead's: Joined former Mayor Sly James and KC Streetcar Authority Executive Director Tom Gerend for lunch to discuss regional transportation growth and community connectivity.
• Union Hill & KCPT: Traveled to 31st & Main Street for meetings with local public media leadership at KCPT.
• Union Station & KC Chamber: Took the streetcar to a meeting with the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce Board to discuss regional economic development, followed by a meeting with Kansas City SmartPort + KC Foreign Trade Zones President Chris Gutierrez.

Davids has been a champion for securing federal transportation investments to expand the KC Streetcar:

• In 2021, Davids and Representative Emanuel Cleaver announced that the Kansas City Streetcar Main Street Extension project would receive full federal funding through a bill they supported in Congress.
• Following years of construction and coordination, Davids joined local leaders and community members in October 2025 to officially celebrate the grand opening of the Main Street Extension.
• Earlier this year, Davids secured $100 million to help regional transit agencies cover costs associated with hosting the FIFA World Cup 2026.
  • During the tournament, the KC Streetcar shattered ridership records by carrying 838,826 passenger trips.

“Working together as a city under the leadership of Tom Gerend, we’ve been able to give citizens and visitors to Kansas City free transportation from the Riverfront to the Plaza,” said SlyJames, Former Mayor, Kansas City, MO. “This kind of investment doesn’t happen without champions in Washington, and Congressman Sharice Davids has been exactly that. She fought for the federal support that made this expansion possible. Kansas City is stronger, more connected, and more accessible because of her support.”

"Since opening in 2016, the KC Streetcar System has carried over 20 million passenger trips and helped to stimulate billions of dollars in economic impact.” Said TomGerend, Executive Director, KC Streetcar Authority. “Without support from critically important federal transportation programs, and a supportive regional congressional delegation including Congressman Cleaver and Congresswoman Davids, these projects don't happen and these incredible benefits are not realized. We thank them for their support and urge Congress to continue to deliver national transportation funding critical for the success of our transit systems and our communities."

As a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Davids helped pass the bipartisan infrastructure law. It’s the largest federal investment in public transportation in the nation’s history, delivering record funding to modernize Kansas City's public transit network:

• Davids secured over $49.3 million in direct federal formula funding for Kansas public transit systems during the first allocation under the bipartisan infrastructure law, delivering the largest single federal transit investment in state history.
• Working alongside Cleaver, Davids secured $14.88 million for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). This included investments to renovate bus facilities, add electric charging infrastructure, and develop high-capacity, zero-emission transit corridors across the bi-state region.

The bipartisan infrastructure law, which has been called the most fiscally responsible infrastructure bill in the last decade by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, is funded through a combination of new revenues and existing savings. To date, more than $3.2 billion has been invested in Kansas through the bipartisan infrastructure law – from expanding statewide rural broadband access, lead pipe replacements in Olathe, safety initiatives in KCK, and long-overdue upgrades to K-68 in Miami County.