Want a ride to Kansas City’s Chiefs parade? KCATA is offering a free shuttle service

As around 500,000 people are expected to venture to downtown Kansas City on Wednesday for the parade celebrating the latest Chiefs Super Bowl victory, public transportation officials are offering a free shuttle service to hopefully ease the traffic burden.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has five “park-and-ride” options for those looking to hit the parade and after-party.

Chuck Ferguson, KCATA’s chief operations officer, said Monday that — as many school districts announced they would be closed for the day — the transit authority was relying on about 400 buses, including 300 school buses, to make the shuttle service possible.

Shuttles will be in operation between 7:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. and then from noon to 4 p.m. Those using them are advised to return to specific drop-off locations to be brought back to their parking area. Riders are also advised to prepare for 45-minute wait times at some locations.

The parade is scheduled to begin at noon at Sixth and Grand and move south toward its endpoint at Union Station. An after-party is scheduled to take place outside Union Station starting at 1:45 p.m.

Fixed bus routes and traffic overall will be affected as streets will be closed beginning at 2 p.m. Tuesday. Streetcar service will also shut down beginning Wednesday and remain closed until “conditions allow,” according to the Kansas City Sports Commission, which is coordinating the events.

Park-and-ride shuttles

Parking: Worlds of Fun at 4545 Worlds of Fun Ave.

Drop-off/Pick-up: Truman Road and Lydia Avenue

Parking: Hy-vee Arena, at 1800 Genessee St.

Drop-off/Pick-up: 18th Street and Troost Avenue

Parking: Kansas City Zoo at 6800 Zoo Drive

Drop-off/Pick-up: 31st Street and Gillham Avenue

Parking: Oak Park Mall at 11149 W. 95th St., Overland Park

Drop-off/Pick-up: 25th Street and Southwest Boulevard

Parking: 47th and State Metrocenter at 4601 State Ave., Kansas City, Kansas

Drop-off/Pick-up: 31st Street and Gillham Avenue

This story was originally published February 14, 2023 at 5:00 AM.

Bill Lukitsch

The Kansas City Star

773-716-7874

Bill Lukitsch covered nighttime breaking news for The Kansas City Star since 2021, focusing on crime, courts and police accountability. Lukitsch previously reported on politics and government for The Quad-City Times.