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 ridership23,900 (weekdays, Q1 2025) [1]
Annual ridership12,286,400 (2024) [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 2024, the system had a ridership of 12,286,400, about 23,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025.

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

KCATA became a fare-free system in March 2020 as part of a proposal from the city government combined with changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. [5] The program was initially funded by a $4.8 million line item in the annual budget and later by federal pandemic relief funding. [6] The base fare was previously $1.50 for adult passengers and a reduced rate for students, veterans, senior citizens, and people with disabilities. [7] [8] Monthly passes were valid for 31 consecutive days from first activation, while day passes are only able to be used for one service day. [9] Visitor passes were able to be purchased online and are able to be used for three consecutive days. Most passes were accepted across regional transit providers.

Fares are planned to be reintroduced in 2026 as part of a new contract between KCATA and the city government that was approved in August 2025. The $2 base fare was selected to prevent cuts to bus service in the city. [10]

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 in Kansas City debuted with the launch of Metro Area Express in July 2005. The 12-mile (19 km) corridor on Main Street links the River Market, Downtown, Crown Center and the Plaza Area. A second BRT line, on 13 miles (21 km) of Troost Avenue, started service on January 1, 2011. The third line, along the Prospect Avenue corridor, began service in December 2019. [11]

References

  1. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 15, 2025. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  2. ↑ "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. February 19, 2025. Retrieved February 25, 2025.
  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. ↑ Schwers, Kaitlyn (March 19, 2020). "Kansas City Area Transit Authority suspends bus fares during coronavirus crisis". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  6. ↑ Hendricks, Mike (March 22, 2024). "Kansas City won acclaim for free bus fares, but the money's drying up. Who will pay now?". Kansas City Star. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  7. ↑ Calacal, Celisa (November 10, 2023). "After years of free bus fare, Kansas City is studying whether to charge for rides again". KCUR . Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  8. ↑ "Reduced Fares". RideKC. Archived from the original on May 30, 2020. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  9. ↑ "Regional Passes". Archived from the original on 2015-10-25.
  10. ↑ Hawley-Bates, Savannah (August 15, 2025). "Kansas City saves buses from cuts with new KCATA contract. Most riders will soon pay fares". KCUR. Retrieved August 15, 2025.
  11. ↑ "MAX for Prospect Ave. | Planning | RideKC".
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