Kansas City Area Transit Authority suspends bus fares during coronavirus crisis
RideKC has announced that fares have been temporarily suspended on all buses as the Kansas City area braces for the coronavirus pandemic.
This includes buses operated by Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA); Johnson County; Kansas City, Kansas; and Independence, the regional transit authority said in a statement Thursday.
The agency said it hopes by suspending fares it will protect riders and bus drivers by reducing the handling of cash and touching of surfaces.
RideKC said it has been taking other steps to protect commuters, including sanitizing the buses every day. It’s encouraging riders to maintain space between passengers and asks that residents travel only as necessary in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19.
“As our community faces this crisis, we can’t lose sight of the impact it is having on so many individuals,” KCATA President and CEO Robbie Makinen said in a statement. “With every closure that is announced, there are hard-working people on the other end feeling the impact, not to mention those dependent on access to medical care and essential jobs. We’re not going to run away from the people who need us most. We’re going to run toward them.”
While bus fares are being suspended until further notice in response to the pandemic, the city council of Kansas City has been considering Mayor Quinton Lucas’ budget proposal, which includes funding to make public transit free in the city.
On Thursday, it was also announced that the KC Streetcar will continue to operate with reduced hours for now, ending service at 8 p.m. each day.
In addition, the RideKC Bike and Scooter organization says the first 20 minutes of the rides it offers will be free of charge to the public. It also said it will allow free and unlimited use of the bikes and scooters for businesses providing delivery services.
