(KANSAS CITY, Mo., AP) — Transportation officials are expanding bus service on three major Kansas City routes to connect to a soon-to-open streetcar system.

The Kansas City Star (http://bit.ly/1Sq5eQ5 ) reports that the expansion also will provide easier access to key employment and entertainment centers.

Last week, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s board of commissioners approved the expanded service.

The later service will be on Friday and Saturday nights with buses running until 2 a.m. the following day to match the streetcar schedule.

The expanded hours are scheduled to start May 13. That’s a week after the opening of the new streetcar system, which will run 2.2 miles from the River Market area through downtown to near Union Station.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com