The Max on Troost: Four questions about the coming bus line

The signs have taunted me for months: “MAX is coming to Troost.” But a few months ago, I noticed bright, freshly poured blocks of concrete at each future station spot along the stretch of road that makes up Troost. Recently construction workers have worked at a handful of these stations-to-be and this week, I’ve seen new MAX stations on 82nd and 55th streets.

The MAX line along Troost will be the “second bus rapid transit line” in the city — with intersections outfitted with technology that lengthens green lights and shortens red ones when buses are running late. With the MAX’s credo of “fewer stations for faster service,” the hope is that the newest addition will improve transportation through one of the city’s major thoroughfares. I e-mailed Cindy Baker, a spokeswoman for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, to get some answers.