Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Last updated
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
KCATA logo.svg
RideKC Bus.jpg
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority bus in RideKC livery
Founded1969
Headquarters1200 E. 18th Street
Kansas City, Missouri
1701 W. Old 56 Hwy
Olathe, Kansas
Service area Kansas City Metro Area
Service type Bus service
Express bus service
Bus rapid transit
Paratransit
Routes78 Bus routes
6 MetroFlex routes
3 Bus rapid transit routes
1 Streetcar Line
Stops6,504 Bus Stops 113 MAX Stations
Fleet300 buses
31 MAX buses
Daily ridership39,000 (weekdays, Q2 2024) [1]
Annual ridership12,006,600 (2023) [2]
Website ridekc.org
kcata.org

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is a public transit agency in metropolitan Kansas City. It operates the Metro Area Express (MAX) bus rapid transit service in Kansas City, Missouri, and 78 local bus routes in seven counties of Missouri and Kansas. In 2023, the system had a ridership of 12,006,600, about 39,000 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2024.

Contents

The KCATA is a bi-state agency formed by an interstate compact between Kansas and Missouri in 1965–6. Authorized by both states' legislatures and an act of Congress, [3] the agency's jurisdiction includes Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte counties in Missouri and Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte counties in Kansas. The agency is governed by a board of ten commissioners, five from each state. [4] Operations began in 1969, when the KCATA took over bus routes previously run by the Kansas City Public Service Company.

In 2014, KCATA, Johnson County Transit, UG Transit and IndeBus announced that all services would be merged into one service, RideKC by 2019. The Johnson County, KS Commissioners pulled out of KCATA management agreement effective August 1, 2022 but retained the partnership with the regional RideKC transit branding and planning.

2022 Gillig Advantage 40' 5210 on Route 25. RideKC Bus 5210.jpg
2022 Gillig Advantage 40' 5210 on Route 25.

Fares

KCTA offers a variety of fare options that vary based on type of service and passenger eligibility, with reduced fares for children, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. [5] Monthly passes are valid for 31 consecutive days from first activation, while day passes are only able to be used for one service day. [6] Visitor passes are able to be purchased online and are able to be used for three consecutive days. Most passes are accepted across regional transit providers.

Transit hubs

There are many Transit Centers and major Park and Rides in the RideKC service area.

Transit Centers

Major Park & Rides

Bus rapid transit

Interior of a 2019 Gillig BRT Plus 40' CNG used for Metro Area Express service. RideKC MAX 3553 interior.jpg
Interior of a 2019 Gillig BRT Plus 40' CNG used for Metro Area Express service.

Bus rapid transit premiered with the Metro Area Express in July 2005. It is about 12-mile (19 km) linking the River Market, Downtown, Crown Center and the Plaza Area. The first BRT Line is in service on Main Street. A second BRT Line is the 13-mile (21 km) Troost Avenue which started service on January 1, 2011. The third BRT line is along the Prospect Ave corridor and began service in December 2019. [7]

Bus fleet

The RideKC Bus fleet as of February 6, 2019.

Active fleet

40 Foot Bus Fleet

Fleet No.YearManufacturerModelEngineTransmissionSeatingNotes
203-2092006GilligAdvantage 40'Cummins ISL 280hpAllison B400R541
2600-26186 buses remain
210-2222007
2700-2711
223-2252009
4000-40052010Cummins ISL09
4100-41052011
226-229
236-2392013
4400-44072014Advantage 40' CNGCummins Westport ISL-G* First CNG Buses
4500-45142015
243-2452016Advantage 40'Cummins ISL-G
4600-4601Advantage 40' CNGCummins Westport ISL-G
4700-47192017
4800-48192018Cummins L9N
3520-35232010BRT 40' HybridCummins ISB09 6.7 280hpAllison H40EP37* First hybrid Buses
3524-3533BRT 40'Cummins ISL09 280hpVoith D864.5
35342011BRT 40' HybridCummins ISB09 6.7 280hpAllison H40EP
3535-35362016BRT Plus 40' CNGCummins Westport ISL-GVoith D864.5
3537-35472019Cummins L9N
3548-3559

29 Foot Bus Fleet (Includes Cutaways)

Fleet No.YearManufacturerModelEngineTransmissionSeatingNotes
S137-S1592008GilligAdvantage 29'Cummins ISLAllison B400R525* No Rear Door
S160-S1812011Cummins ISL0923
S182-S1932012
S194-S1952013Advantage 29' CNGCummins Westport ISL-G* First CNG buses
229-235BRT 29'Cummins ISL09
S196-S2022014Advantage 29' CNGCummins Westport ISL-G
S203-S210
240-2422016BRT 29' CNG
246-249Advantage 29'Cummins ISL09
S211-S2282018Advantage 29' CNGCummins L9N
250-252Advantage 29'Cummins ISL09
253-2552019Advantage 29'CNGCummins Westport ISL-G

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References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report Second Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. September 3, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 4, 2024. Retrieved September 5, 2024.
  3. "Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 80 Part 1.djvu/862 – Wikisource, the free online library".
  4. "Board of Commissioners | Who We Are | About KCATA | KCATA".
  5. KCTA Fares
  6. "Regional Passes". Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
  7. "MAX for Prospect Ave. | Planning | RideKC".