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RideKC
RideKC services: local bus, streetcar, MAX bus rapid transit
Overview
LocaleKansas City metropolitan area
Transit type
Operation
Began operation2014; 11 years ago (2014)

New lead

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RideKC is the brand for public transit services in the Kansas City metropolitan area, covering 5 counties in the states of Kansas and Missouri. RideKC services include local and express buses, bus rapid transit, microtransit, and modern streetcar services throughout the metropolitan area, with common branding, scheduling, and marketing.

The present-day RideKC services trace their heritage back to the earliest streetcars in Kansas City, which began service in 1870. The RideKC brand was proposed in 2014, and its unified website and branding rolled out in 2015 and 2016. Transit services under the RideKC brand are operated by 5 operators, the largest of which is the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

Most services in the RideKC system have been free since 2020, including all local bus services and the KC Streetcar. Some microtransit and paratransit services charge fares. Some RideKC services are funded by local sales taxes, and others by transportation development districts, supplemented by state and federal funding.

History

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The first public transit services in Kansas City began in 1870, with the introduction of horsecars. Cable cars were introduced in the 1880s, and electric streetcars replaced cable cars in the early 20th century. The first bus services were introduced in the early 1920s, and the Kansas City Public Service Company (KCPS) took over most transit services in the city in 1926. KCPS converted its last streetcar services to buses in 1957.[1]

KCPS was struggling financially by the 1960s, due to the effects of suburbanization and white flight, along with the construction of the Interstate Highway System. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) was formed as an interstate compact between the states of Kansas and Missouri in 1965, and it took over the operations of KCPS in 1969.[2]: 20–22  KCATA was intended to be a regional system, but disagreements about funding and services led it to serve a much smaller service area than intended.[2]: 54  Johnson County and Wyandotte County began operating separate transit services in the 1980s, leading to further fragmentation.

The RideKC brand was proposed in the early 2010s, in parallel with the development of the KC Streetcar. The unified RideKC website, featuring schedules and rider information for 4 transit operators, launched in 2015.[3] KCATA, Johnson County, and Wyandotte County adopted the RideKC brand for their bus services, and Independence, Missouri added the RideKC brand to its services alongside its existing brand. The KC Streetcar began operation in May 2016 under the RideKC brand.[4][5]

In January 2016, a single fare system was established, with a $1.50 fare for local bus services across the region.[6][7] The KC Streetcar has not charged a fare since its 2016 launch, and proposals were made shortly afterwards to eliminate fares across the RideKC system.[8][9]

Services

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RideKC services operate across the Kansas City metropolitan area, spanning the states of Missouri and Kansas.

Old lead

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RideKC is the brand for public transportation systems in the .

The RideKC brand was adopted in August 2014 by the Kansas City Streetcar Authority, operators of the KC Streetcar line then under construction in Kansas City, Missouri.[10][11] The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority adopted RideKC in November, followed by Johnson County Transit, IndeBus and Unified Government Transit.

Buses using the RideKC livery rolled out in Kansas City and Johnson County in October 2015.[12][13] UG Transit transitioned in 2016, with IndeBus co-branding for the time being.[14]


The RideKC website launched in October 2015 consolidating schedules, maps and other information for all participating transit agencies.[15]

Old services

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Transit providers

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  • IndeBus (Independence, MO) - fixed route 'RideKC Bus' and ADA complementary paratransit 'RideKC Freedom'
  • Johnson County Transit (Johnson County, KS) - fixed route 'RideKC Bus' and demand responsive 'RideKC Micro Transit'
  • KC Streetcar (Kansas City, MO) - fixed route 'RideKC Streetcar'
  • Kansas City Area Transportation Authority - fixed route 'RideKC Bus', demand responsive 'RideKC Flex', ADA complementary paratransit 'RideKC Freedom', and non-ADA paratransit 'RideKC Freedom On-Demand'
  • Unified Government Transit (Wyandotte County, KS) - fixed route 'RideKC Bus', demand responsive 'RideKC Micro Transit', and ADA complementary paratransit 'RideKC Freedom'

Partnering agencies

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References

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  1. ^ Jennemann, Annie (2022-06-26). "A history of public transportation in Kansas City, from cable cars to buses and beyond". KCUR. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  2. ^ a b Parsons Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas Inc.; John Pucher (1998). Consequences of the Interstate Highway System for Transit: Summary of Findings (PDF). TCRP Report 42. Washington, D.C: Transportation Research Board. ISBN 0-309-06309-4.
  3. ^ "KCATA Board Approves RideKC Brand, Annual Budget" (Press release). Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. November 25, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  4. ^ Hendricks, Mike (2015-09-19). "ATA says pick of developer for River Market land signifies new role in economic development". Kansas City Star. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  5. ^ Hill, Christine (2015-08-19). "RideKC promotes unified public transit". Greenability. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  6. ^ "Regional Fare Established for Local and MAX Routes" (Press release). RideKC. December 29, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  7. ^ Oberholtz, Chris; D'Souza, Lisa (January 4, 2016). "Johnson County lowers bus fares to match Kansas City region". KCTV. Archived from the original on 2016-02-18. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  8. ^ Smith, Sandy (2022-07-27). "Kansas City's Zero Fare Transit Program Shows Major Success – And What Still Needs to Be Done". NextCity. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  9. ^ Hawley-Bates, Savannah (2019-08-18). "The Head Of Kansas City's Bus System Lost His Sight But Has A Clear Vision For Free Public Transit". KCUR. Retrieved 2024-12-06.
  10. ^ "KC Streetcar Brand Revealed". KC Streetcar (Press release). Kansas City Streetcar Authority. August 28, 2014. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  11. ^ Janovy, C.J. (August 28, 2014). "Kansas City Streetcar System Now Officially Named ... KC Streetcar". KCUR-FM. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  12. ^ "Rebranded RideKC Buses Hitting the Road". Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. October 12, 2015. Archived from the original on November 29, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  13. ^ "Rebranded Johnson County Buses Hitting the Road" (Press release). Johnson County, Kansas. October 12, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  14. ^ Hendricks, Mike (September 19, 2015). "ATA says pick of developer for River Market land signifies new role in economic development". Kansas City Star. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
  15. ^ "New Regional Website Launched for Transit Service Across Metro Area" (Press release). RideKC. October 20, 2015. Retrieved February 17, 2016.
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