UPDATE, Aug. 15 | The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s Board of Commissioners gave its approval Friday to a deal to keep buses running in Kansas City, Missouri.
The vote Friday came after commissioners met in a special closed session for more than an hour.
Combined with Thursday's approval of the deal by the Kansas City, Missouri, City Council, bus service looks to be stabilized for at least the next year in the region's largest city.
“We are grateful for the advocacy demonstrated and want to assure the community, especially our current riders, that KCATA is committed to building a better, more connected transit system, and delivering a customer experience we can all be proud of,” KCATA Board Chair Reginald Townsend said Friday in a news release.
ORIGINAL REPORT | The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted 12-0 to approve an agreement to keep bus service running in the city.
The KCATA’s Board of Commissioners has scheduled a meeting at 8 a.m. on Friday to complete its review of the agreement.
Negotiations between the city and KCATA leadership "focused on affordable, reliable transportation options for working families, students, seniors, and individuals with disabilities who depend on public transit for their daily mobility needs," a news release from the city stated.
"I'm proud of our contractual commitment among the City of Kansas City and the regional transit authority to provide reliable service for all in our region," KCMO Mayor Quinton Lucas stated in the news release. "As the primary funder for KCATA, Kansas City will continue working collaboratively with KCATA to build resources in both Missouri and Kansas, supporting stronger performance for all in our area."
KCMO City Manager Mario Vasquez provided a general outline of the agreement Thursday, in which the city agreed to spend $77.9 million to fund services through April 2026.
The city is asking the ATA to devise a fare plan that's sensible and not confusing to riders.
"The 12-month contract between Kansas City and KCATA provides the stability we need to continue serving our community while we work on longer-term solutions and improvements to our transit system,” said Councilman Eric Bunch. “Public transportation reduces traffic congestion, improves air quality, and provides economic opportunities for residents across our region."
Earlier this week, Lucas and others had remained confident that the two organizations would be able to come together on a deal before a deadline on Friday, Aug. 15.
Frank White III, KCATA president and CEO, expressed relief as he reflected on the negotiations.
“At the end of the day, we’re here to serve, and the people who need us, depend on us," White said. "To go to work, dialysis, shop, whatever—that’ll always be first in mind. But at the same time, you are negotiating a contract, and contracts have meaning.”
For riders like Terry Woodson, the agreement represents more than just bus schedules and numbers; it's about job security.
“Without the buses, I can’t do anything, and I’ll be darn if I lose a job over a bus system,” Woodson shared.
Another rider, Keri Winemiller, became emotional discussing potential cuts, highlighting the vital role KCATA plays in her everyday life.
"I’ve been nervous as heck, trying to figure out about the buses being cut out," Winemiller said. "Because I was told if we don’t have the buses, then we won’t have the RideKC door-to-door service. How are we supposed to get around?"
The contract's approval signals a continuation of normalcy for the community. Tomorrow, the KCATA board is set to review and decide on the proposal at their 8 a.m. meeting, with optimism resonating from the administration.
“I think the other step that we look to, how do we make sure that there is even broader regional financial support, that’s a big thing for the Kansas City city council," Lucas said. "We want to make sure that not just this city with 512,000 people, but the 2.3 million metro area is fully invested in the city long term.”
In Kansas City, around 41,000 people depend on public transportation for their day to day needs.
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