Kansas City, a Car Town, Spends Millions on World Cup Transit
The New York Times • • sports
Key Points:
- Kansas City, Missouri, is preparing for an influx of hundreds of thousands of soccer fans for the upcoming World Cup, many of whom are accustomed to extensive public transit systems abroad.
- To accommodate visitors, the city has created a temporary public transit system, funded in part by public money, to navigate the predominantly car-dependent two-state area.
- FIFA does not cover the costs for necessary infrastructure improvements like transit and security, leaving host cities and states to finance these expenses with the expectation of economic benefits.
- Across the U.S., host cities have invested heavily in transit expansions, police equipment, and traffic management for the five-week event, though there is growing public concern about the disruptions and costs involved.