by Don Corrigan
Missouri’s Highways and Transportation Commission announced more rail passenger opportunities in 2026 that will take cars off the highways for this summer‘s World Cup Soccer games in Kansas City. This is especially good news for I-70 travelers.
The commission announced a third train will be added for the games. The third daily Amtrak passenger train will run between St. Louis and Kansas City through towns like Kirkwood, Washington and Jefferson City in Missouri.
The news came at a packed meeting on Oct. 1 at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center. Commission members reserved time for feedback on local transportation issues. The commission oversees the work of the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).
Some local attendees were frustrated by the lack of time devoted to focus on local traffic and pedestrian accident issues. Nevertheless, the news about an added Amtrak train was welcome.
The passenger train is set to start running as early as April. The games actually begin a little later in the year with official competition to begin in June and through July.
Missouri’s Department of Transportation, Amtrak rail officials, and the Union Pacific are still consulting on the third train. Union Pacific owns the tracks to Kansas City and its freight train schedules are a consideration.
Kirkwood residents attending the meeting were pleased with news about additional Amtrak service through Kirkwood. Amtrak now has two cross-state passenger trains running daily between Kansas City and St. Louis.
Even without the World Cup, MoDOT anticipates increased ridership on its regular trains based on recent statistics showing passenger use on the rise. Use of Amtrak’s Missouri River Runner has hiked more than 8% in the past fiscal year.
Despite the good news about an extra passenger train easing heavier traffic on I-70 expected between St. Louis and Kansas City during the World Cup, residents were still focused on traffic issues closer to home.
Local Traffic Concerns
In the past three months, Kirkwood has seen several bicyclists hit in auto collisions, several pedestrians injured by oncoming vehicles, and two homes hit by drivers who have lost control of their autos.
The various collisions have been documented on a Facebook site by the group, Safer Streets for Kirkwood and St. Louis County. The site has more than 1,400 followers.
Michael Carmody of Safer Streets for Kirkwood and St. Louis County said he was “incredibly disappointed” by the Oct. 1 state transportation meeting.
“For something like this, public comment should have come earlier, not at the very end of the meeting – for any time that is left,” said Carmody. “Some people got up and left because they were not going to wait several hours to get in a comment.”
Carmody said that transportation officials in Jefferson City insist that the purpose of the meetings held across the state is to get comment about local traffic safety and roadway issues.
“It’s all well and good to hear about the coming of the World Cup,” said Carmody. “There was a marketing person from Hermann who really was excited about the rail service and the marketing opportunities for cities along the rail route – good for her.
“But when visiting a local community, MoDOT really should be prepared to reach out to the citizens and their local safety concerns,” added Carmody. “Their meeting agendas should be posted well ahead of the meetings, not a few days before they show up.”
World Cup Service
Preparation for the approaching World Cup activity in 2026 seems to be naturally drawing attention to transportation concerns. Earlier this year, Missouri’s state legislature appropriated $1.7 million to help run a third daily Amtrak.
More than 650,000 people are expected to travel to the Kansas City region for six matches to be played with the first one slated for June 16. The World Cup games will be played at Arrowhead Stadium, and many St. Louis soccer fans are expected to make the trip.
The projected economic impact may reach $650 million, according to KC2026, a regional organization with responsibility for World Cup preparations.
Amtrak rail service is expected to return to twice a day after the World Cup quarterfinal in July. Current passenger train service between St. Louis and Kansas City makes stops in Kirkwood, Washington, Hermann, Jefferson City, Sedalia, Warrensburg and Lee’s Summit.
Environmental Echo 