For the first time in six years, fares are once again being collected for individuals using buses operated by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). Just over two weeks ago, United Way of Greater Kansas City began working with KCATA to help connect qualifying individuals with discounted passes. And last week, we distributed the first batch of single-day free passes to nonprofit partners.
We know access to transportation is vitally important. It is routinely identified within the top five needs of those reaching out to United Way 211—our region’s 24/7 resource and referral line—for support. This partnership recognizes that many in our community need access to public transit, but fares may present a barrier to accessing vital services.
“Public transit is how many working families access jobs, how seniors may get to medical appointments, how people can reach the food pantries and services that keep them stable,” said Jim MacDonald, Senior Advisor on United Way’s Community Impact Team. “In just a few weeks’ time, we’re already seeing the importance of supporting our most vulnerable households through free and reduced access to bus services through our partnership with KCATA.”
United Way is providing administrative support to connect qualifying individuals with discounted passes. Eligible populations include:
- Children ages 6-18 (Under 6 are free)
- Adults ages 65+
- Low-income people receiving assistance through SNAP, WIC, TANF, Medicaid, LIHEAP/LIEAP, Federal housing subsidy programs
- Medicare card holders
- Individuals with disabilities enrolled in SSI, SSDI and VA disability compensation
United Way is supporting KCATA in identity and income verification, working with applicants throughout the process, and providing regular updates to KCATA on the number of individuals qualifying to receive 50% discounted passes, which will be applied to their KCATA digital account. Those wishing to apply for these discounted rates can do so at unitedwaygkc.org/RideKC. To date:
- 716 Applications for discounted passes have been approved
- 67 Applications in progress
- 2 Application was declined for ineligibility
- 785 total discounted fare applications have been received/processed
Additionally, the first batch of 2500 single day passes have been distributed to 50 nonprofit community partners. One nonprofit food pantry client, Joshua B., who is 68 years old and relies on the bus system, shared his gratitude for receiving a single day pass. He is also planning to apply for the 50% discounted fare.
“I really do need the bus to get to the doctor, the Social Security office, or just going from point A to point B,” Joshua said. “This pass is going to help me out a lot. I appreciate it very, very much.”
Additional single-day passes will be distributed to nonprofit partners soon and throughout the year. Phase two will launch this fall, with the addition of three-month and 12-month free-fare passes.
We continue to update our FAQs here.
For route and schedule information, visit RideKC.org any time or call the RideKC Regional Call Center at (816) 221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m to 6 p.m. Translation assistance for trip information is available in more than 500 languages.
El Centro de Llamadas Regional de RideKC brinda asistencia con la traducción al (816) 221-0660, de lunes a viernes de 6 a.m. a 6 p.m. Lo conectaremos con un intérprete que puede traducir la información del viaje en mas de 400 idiomas.