This week, we announced a new partnership with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, helping to ensure our most vulnerable neighbors can access free and reduced cost bus rides as KCATA fares are reinstated June 1st. United Way Community Impact Senior Advisor Jim MacDonald shares the importance of this work for those who will benefit.
Living in Kansas City more than 37 years, I’ve developed a deep respect for Kansas City voters, who have often advanced public policy to enhance equity and improve quality of life for our community. Kansas Citians know a robust public transit system is one of the essential components to a strong and inclusive economy. For this reason, voters have twice enacted dedicated public funding streams to support transit & related infrastructure.
These investments generate tens of millions of dollars annually to ensure our local transit system is one of the most cost-efficient among peer cities.
More than 30,000 people rely on bus service every day. Many of these individuals are among the nearly 50,000 Kansas City area households without a car.
Regional leaders made history in 2020 when they suspended fares for all users of the region’s bus system, as a response to the COVID-19 recession. This decision elevated the importance of a transit system that is accessible to all, regardless of income.
Now that COVID-era federal funding has ended, fares must be reinstated to ensure the system remains strong and sustainable.
KCATA leaders recognize the importance of accessibility and have taken important steps to ensure that the system’s most vulnerable riders retain access to bus service—through a mix of reduced fare and free-fare programming, and United Way is grateful to support efforts in delivering these free and lower cost options to our neighbors.
People living with low-income face myriad challenges in navigating the demands of daily life. From putting food on the table to keeping a roof over your head; from paying for childcare to seeing a doctor when illness strikes, the obligations of caring for your family are more difficult when you struggle to make ends meet. When bus fares return, the most vulnerable households who rely on bus service to get to work, school, doctor’s appointments and the grocery store will benefit from assistance in covering this household expense.
Older and disabled adults, children and low-income adults enrolled in government nutrition, healthcare and housing assistance programs will qualify for bus service at half the regular fare, after completing a simple application starting June 1st at unitedwaygkc.org/ridekc.
This fall, a limited free fare program will be launched, with additional 3- and 12-month free bus passes.
At United Way, we are proud to serve as the KCATA’s partner in administering these important programs as part of our commitment to creating a community where everyone has opportunities to thrive.