Overland Park Council Advances Bus Rapid Transit Corridor
A north-south rapid transit line moved a step closer to reality after the Overland Park City Council approved preliminary funding for design work along Metcalf Avenue.
The Overland Park City Council voted this week to advance design funding for a bus rapid transit corridor along Metcalf Avenue, one of the busiest commercial spines in Johnson County.
The proposed line would run frequent, limited-stop buses in a dedicated lane, with raised platforms and off-board fare payment intended to speed boarding. Supporters framed it as a way to relieve congestion on a corridor that has seen steady office and apartment growth.
"This is about giving people a real choice, not forcing anyone out of their car," a council member said before the vote. The measure passed comfortably, though a minority raised concerns about long-term operating costs and the effect of dedicated lanes on existing traffic.
If the design phase stays on schedule, construction could begin in 2028. Regional transit officials said the Metcalf line could eventually connect to routes in neighboring Kansas City, Kansas.
