Kansas City approves KCATA bus deal to prevent service disruption

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - On Thursday, the Kansas City Council approved a contract with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to continue bus service throughout the metro. The deal may prevent bus service from being interrupted across the Kansas City metro ahead of a Friday funding deadline.

The contract will support transit operations through April 30, 2026. The KCATA Board still needs to decide whether to approve the $77.9 million contract. The board is scheduled to meet Friday morning.

The contract does not include IRIS service, KCATA’s rideshare program.

Following the city council meeting, Terry O’Toole with the Kansas City Transportation Group, which runs IRIS, said the agency expects to have funding by the end of August and they’re set to begin negotiations immediately.

Other changes to the contract include the KCATA reintroducing a fare to use the bus system, with a fare-free system for those who need it.

“We are also asking KCATA to work with near cities, employers, organizations, state, local, and federal agencies to secure additional funding for the service, but more importantly, to ensure that there is seamless access to the system throughout the region,” said Kansas City city manager Mario Vasquez.

City leaders and the KCATA have been negotiating the deal for months, which led to concern for many who rely on public transit.

“We had a chance to have a lot of important conversations about services that we have,” said KC Mayor Quinton Lucas. “What I heard throughout all this discussion was that KCATA was saying they’re happy to provide a lot, there’s a cost to some services, and how do we best balance what that actually looks like.”

The mayor added, “The next step that we figure out, as was discussed, [is] how do we support the system long term over the years ahead. I think the other step that we look to is how do we make sure that there is even broader regional support. That’s a big thing for the Kansas City City Council. We want to make sure that not just the city with 512,000 people, but the 2.4 million people in the metro area are fully invested in the system long term.”

Lucas also said the contract keeps current service levels across all existing routes.

The city and KCATA said they plan to work together to see what can be enhanced while also figuring out how to sustain the future of public transportation in Kansas City.

If the KCATA does not approve the contract, the organization said routes will be cut.

The KCATA board met last week for a special meeting, but no action was taken following an over-hour-long executive session. KCATA CEO & President Frank White III explained why, following the meeting.

“There was nothing to take action on,” said White last Thursday. “We thought there was going to be an ordinance to vote on for a contract. Obviously, that didn’t happen, so we just talked about options today, where we are with the city, and potential next steps.”

Following the council meeting, White says he’s happy with the contract, but he also acknowledged work still has to be done and the transit authority wants to maintain a level of control.

“Service will be maintained,” said White. “We have to. We’re the lifeline for people. It’s always about who do we serve first: our riders. But at the same time, the KCATA is an independent agency and has to, it’s a contract, so we’re bound by whatever that is and we aren’t going to engage in something that is going to put us at a disadvantage long-term.”

The KCATA board is set to have an 8 a.m. virtual special meeting on Friday. White said he is confident the contract will be approved.