Bus riders ask Kansas City to approve additional funding for KCATA to keep routes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Siblings Brian and Sarah Jones use public transportation frequently. Sarah uses Route 9 multiple times a week since it’s a block away from her house. It’s one of 13 routes at risk of being cut if KCATA doesn’t get additional funding.

“My first thought was how are people going to get around, get back and forth to work every day every day?” asked Sarah. “Or if they have an appointment? There are a lot of people that use the bus and depend on it.”

Last week, hundreds protested the proposed cuts ahead of the Kansas City Council meeting, where it was decided the city would give nearly $78 million to KCATA. Brian attended the protest and the meeting.

“I understand you need to make a budget and cut money,” said Brian. “I get that. I just want them to know there are a lot of people that need the bus, and IRIS for that matter, as well as RideKC.”

Kansas City has drafted an ordinance that would give KCATA an additional $46 million. The funds would fully cover operations from May through October. The ordinance will be discussed at the Finance, Governance, and Public Safety Committee meeting on Tuesday.

“I don’t want to see that removed or any of the bus routes removed,” said Brian. “If I was in the room with them, I would say please understand that the routes that are proposed to be taken away are very important.”

The siblings say they wouldn’t mind having to start paying for public transportation again if it meant the routes won’t be removed.

KCTV reached out to KCATA for a statement. The agency said its board chair wouldn’t be commenting until after Tuesday’s meeting, which is set to start at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chamber.

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