KCATA changes, cancels area bus routes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority's Metro bus riders are seeing more changes as of September 30th, and some riders aren't too happy.

Jennifer Carter is a student at UMKC and normally rides the 55 Rockhill bus.  That route has been discontinued.  

"It can be worked out it just takes a little effort," Carter said. "Getting to school and back is not as easy as it use to be, especially at night."

Carter gave up her car and opted for a bus pass instead. She's adjusting to the changes but hopes that KCATA remembers to keep riders a priority as they change and discontinue routes.

"The Rockhill bus is gone," Carter said. "I think that's going to affect a lot of students. You can get where you want to go, just not exactly where you want to go, you might have to walk a little further."

This is phase three of the KCATA's four phase effort to better serve riders. Three routes were discontinued and several others were consolidated or changed.

In 2010, KCATA conducted surveys and held meetings to find out what riders needed and where they wanted to go. They believe these changes are the answer.  

Cindy Baker is the marketing director for KCATA. She said their study helped them figure out where riders wanted to go.
 
"There's a lot of demographics that are changing in Kansas City, and we hadn't done a comprehensive study of our system for over 10 years," Baker said. "So it was time to take a closer look at where people wanted to travel and how we could best provide that service without increasing our budget."

The final phase of the route changes will start in the spring of 2013.  For a complete list of the current and upcoming changes, visit http://tinyurl.com/9gqxbu9 .