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Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Public transit agency in metropolitan Kansas City

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority bus in RideKC livery
Founded	1969
Headquarters	1200 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
Routes	78 Bus routes 6 MetroFlex routes 3 Bus rapid transit routes 1 Streetcar Line
Stops	6,504 Bus Stops 113 MAX Stations
Fleet	300 buses 31 MAX buses
Daily ridership	36,200 (weekdays, Q1 2024)[1]
Annual ridership	12,006,600 (2023)[2]
Website	ridekc.org kcata.org

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is a public transit agencyinmetropolitan 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 36,200 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2024.

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.

Fares[edit]

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[edit]

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

Transit Centers[edit]

• Boardwalk Square
• Antioch Center
• Independence Transit Center
• 10th & Main Transit Center
• 7th & Minnesota Transit Center
• Bannister & Drury Transit Center
• Mission Transit Center
• Village West Transit Center
• Blue Ridge Crossing

Major Park & Rides[edit]

• Metro North Park & Ride
• 47th & State Ave Metrocenter Park & Ride
• 3rd & Grand Park & Ride
• 74th Terrace & Broadway Park & Ride
• 31st & Troost Park & Ride
• Oak Park Mall Park & Ride
• 4th & Nelson Park & Ride
• Shawnee Station Park & Ride
• JCCC Carlesn Center Park & Ride
• KU Edwards Park & Ride
• Great Mall of the Great Plains Park & Ride

Bus rapid transit[edit]

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[edit]

The RideKC Bus fleet as of February 6, 2019.

Active fleet[edit]

40 Foot Bus Fleet

29 Foot Bus Fleet (Includes Cutaways)

References[edit]

External links[edit]

• Kansas City Area Transportation Authority official site
• Smart Moves Regional Transit Plan
• / Joco Commission to end management contract with KCATA. Here’s what that means for riders