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A study by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority and the Mid-America Regional Council has recommended two new express bus routes — one in Johnson County and one in Kansas City, Missouri — to get people to and from the airport ahead of the FIFA World Cup in 2026.
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The legislation from St. Charles Rep. Adam Schnelting passed the Missouri House last session but died in the Senate. It would also lower the age requirement for a concealed carry permit from 19 to 18.
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COVID-19 relief dollars covered most of the budget gap from the zero-fare program — and they’ll all be spent by 2025. That means the transit agency will have to find additional revenue to cover the difference.
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Federal grants are helping researchers at the University of Missouri-Kansas City study whether keeping city buses free is sustainable. In collaboration with University Health, they'll also study the health impact on riders.
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On-demand, point-to-point rides are being offered in Kansas City and St. Louis as a way around fixed bus routes and schedules. In rural communities, microtransit is often touted as a tool to get people to work and essential appointments. But reviews of the programs are so far mixed.
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After three years of free-to-ride public buses, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is thinking about charging fares again. Plus: Large areas of Missouri and Kansas are without primary care doctors, but many hope that medical students just starting their careers will help remedy that.
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Money collected from bus fares used to make up 7% to 12% of the agency's total revenues, and the agency hasn't found a long-term solution to continue with zero fare.
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Planning for a future East-West streetcar line is still in the early stages. But the possible line would have sixteen stops connecting Van Brunt Boulevard to the University of Kansas Health System.
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The three-eighths cent sales tax is one of the largest sources of local funding for the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.
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Kansas City voters will decide Tuesday on whether to renew a 3/8-cents sales tax that provides 30% of the KCATA's funding. If the tax is voted down, routes will be significantly cut and at least 100 workers will be let go.
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In Missouri, just under 25% of its Head Start centers are within a walkable distance from a public transit spot — making the early childhood program less accessible to families without reliable transportation.
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A majority of Johnson County commissioners recently indicated they were willing to at least temporarily add fares, cut routes and make adjustments in other services while they do a deep dive into how to provide a good transit system for county riders without breaking the bank.