Your Community: New bus route improves access to Library resources

Johnson County commissioners joined officials from Lenexa, Overland Park, Prairie Village, and Mission for a “rolling” ribbon cutting to celebrate establishment of a new bus route that runs between Lenexa City Center and the Mission Transit Center.

Johnson County motorists recognize 87th Street as a key thoroughfare, but it’s also a vital corridor that connects residents to four Johnson County Library locations and many other nonprofit services.

Johnson County motorists recognize 87th Street as a key thoroughfare, but it’s also a vital corridor that connects residents to four Johnson County Library locations and many other nonprofit services.

That’s one reason people like Johnson County Commissioner Janeé Hanzlick are thrilled about the new bus route that Johnson County Transit launched in early August. Another proponent is Lisa Womack, senior manager of mobility innovation for Johnson County Transit.

Route 487 runs between the Lenexa City Center and the Lenexa City Center Library on the west and the Mission Transit Center on the east, traveling through downtown Overland Park and Prairie Village along the way. It stops directly in front of Central Resource Library and brings riders close to the Library’s Corinth and Cedar Roe branches. The zero-fare route runs from around 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, with buses scheduled an hour apart.

As the county commission’s liaison to the Library Board, Hanzlick knows the importance of making Library services available through public transit. Providing computer access is especially important.

“For some of us, we love having the library, love having the programs,” she said. “But for some people, it means whether they can find a job, it means whether they can access the internet, it means whether they can have their kids do their homework.”

One only needs to look at the strip center across 87th Street from the Central Resource Library to see a couple of important resources along the new route. Catholic Charities has a family support center there and Johnson County Community College runs adult education courses in office space at the center.

Hanzlick served for many years as the CEO of Safehome, a domestic violence agency in Johnson County, and the establishment of Route 487 fulfills one of her longtime goals.

“To not have transit in this area just did not make sense to me,” she said, “and I am thrilled that we now have this route.”

The county commission is piloting Route 487 with federal COVID-19 relief funding. It costs about $325,000 a year to run the route, and Womack is confident the county can finance the route long-term if it proves as popular as transit officials believe it will be.

The route logged 452 riders in its first 30 days. Womack said the goal is to increase ridership by 10% per year. Peak ridership has come on Wednesdays. The new route is a great partnership opportunity for the Library and Johnson County Transit, Womack said.

“I think it will open up some doors if we collaborate together and remind people that we’re both still here,” Womack said.

She would like to borrow an idea from Kansas City, Missouri, where the library has read-alongs on the bus. Womack also envisions some programming using children’s characters from the Library.

Womack agreed with Hanzlick that Saturday service would be a big improvement for the route, allowing riders more access to farmer’s markets. Having the bus run later would also benefit workers who work nontraditional hours, she said.

Womack said transit planners love it when they can connect community resources, and as a “library girl” who grew up in suburban St. Louis, she is personally pleased that the route serves several branches.

She has carried a passion for libraries into adulthood from a time when summers meant books and the pool.

“I like all the digital and I like all the technology,” Womack said, “but to me, there’s something kind of special about being able to touch the books and use your imagination and go into the library and hear a story or see the characters.”

Riders of Route 487 enjoy zero-fare transportation along the 87th Street corridor and easy access to great amenities including multiple Johnson County Library locations. To view the Route 487 map and schedule, visit RideKC.com. And if you don’t know about the perks of a Library card, discover what the Library has to offer at jocolibrary.org/discover.

Johnson County Library – Nurturing the Community’s Collective Wisdom


ADVERTISEMENT


🌳 5 to Try: Post readers pick Johnson County’s most peaceful parks

Shawnee Mission Park

If you’re looking for a place to unwind or disconnect and enjoy some time outdoors before it gets too cold, Post readers have you covered. From quiet woodland trails to

If you’re looking for a place to unwind or disconnect and enjoy some time outdoors before it gets too cold, Post readers have you covered. From quiet woodland trails to




This year’s Best of Johnson County Drinks & Bar winners

Thanks to the tens of thousands of voters who helped give their local favorites the recognition they deserve through this year’s Best of Johnson County. Congrats to this year’s Best

Thanks to the tens of thousands of voters who helped give their local favorites the recognition they deserve through this year’s Best of Johnson County. Congrats to this year’s Best


‘The Weekend’ — movies, music and more in Johnson County

Weekend events Johnson County

TGIF, Blue Valley! We’re back with “The Weekend” — our end-of-the-week roundup of fun things to do in and around Johnson County. This weekend has several happenings to choose from,

TGIF, Blue Valley! We’re back with “The Weekend” — our end-of-the-week roundup of fun things to do in and around Johnson County. This weekend has several happenings to choose from,


Blue Valley School Buzz: Blue Valley leads the way in Kansas with 56 National Merit Semifinalists

With an astonishing 56 high school seniors recognized as National Merit Semifinalists, Blue Valley is not just leading the way but defining educational achievement standards across the state! Blue Valley’s

With an astonishing 56 high school seniors recognized as National Merit Semifinalists, Blue Valley is not just leading the way but defining educational achievement standards across the state! Blue Valley’s


Local obituaries for Sept. 19-21

Below is a list of local obituaries from Sept. 19-21, 2023. Lynne Louise Eads Beverly Jean Graham Dimitrios “Jimmy” Milis Ronald Nelson Bruce Donald Varney Margaret Wiltfong Robert Huston “Bob”

Below is a list of local obituaries from Sept. 19-21, 2023. Lynne Louise Eads Beverly Jean Graham Dimitrios “Jimmy” Milis Ronald Nelson Bruce Donald Varney Margaret Wiltfong Robert Huston “Bob”



JoCo Notes: Tickets on sale for Thundergong!, Jason Sudeikis-led fundraiser

Video screenshot via Thundergong!

It’s Friday, Blue Valley! 🌦Today’s forecast: Partly sunny with more rain likely later this morning. High: 80. Low: 67. 🚨 Happening today Tickets for Thundergong!, an annual Kansas City fundraiser

It’s Friday, Blue Valley! 🌦Today’s forecast: Partly sunny with more rain likely later this morning. High: 80. Low: 67. 🚨 Happening today Tickets for Thundergong!, an annual Kansas City fundraiser


Overland Park photographer wins ‘Best in Show’ at KC art fair

Jon Bidwell, an Overland Park photographer, won "Best in Show" at Art Westport earlier this month.

Jon Bidwell, an Overland Park-based photographer who specializes in abstract and fine art photography, recently made his big return to the local art fair scene.  Earlier this month, he won

Jon Bidwell, an Overland Park-based photographer who specializes in abstract and fine art photography, recently made his big return to the local art fair scene.  Earlier this month, he won



This year’s Best of Johnson County Food & Restaurants winners

Johnson County’s culinary scene is in a boom phase, with its wide variety of restaurants — from burger dives to James Beard-nominated fine dining establishments — drawing the gastronomically curious from across

Johnson County’s culinary scene is in a boom phase, with its wide variety of restaurants — from burger dives to James Beard-nominated fine dining establishments — drawing the gastronomically curious from across



This year’s Best of Johnson County Retail winners

Congrats to this year’s Best of Johnson County winners in the Retail categories! Best Furniture Store: Nebraska Furniture Mart Okay, so it’s not technically in Johnson County. But NFM so

Congrats to this year’s Best of Johnson County winners in the Retail categories! Best Furniture Store: Nebraska Furniture Mart Okay, so it’s not technically in Johnson County. But NFM so


Your Insurance: How devices can help keep your teen protected…from a teen’s perspective

This week’s article is brought to us by contributing guest editor, Miles Muehlbach.  If you’re anything like my parents, you are constantly looking for ways to keep your teen both

This week’s article is brought to us by contributing guest editor, Miles Muehlbach.  If you’re anything like my parents, you are constantly looking for ways to keep your teen both



JoCo Notes: Aquinas football standout JuJu Marks commits to Mizzou

It’s Thursday, Blue Valley! 🌤 Today’s forecast: Partly sunny, slight chance for rain after noon. High: 81. Low: 65. 🚨 One thing to know today The top prep football prospect in

It’s Thursday, Blue Valley! 🌤 Today’s forecast: Partly sunny, slight chance for rain after noon. High: 81. Low: 65. 🚨 One thing to know today The top prep football prospect in