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Jackson County Workers Get Free Bus Ride

Jackson County Executive Katherine Shields (County photo)
Jackson County Executive Katherine Shields (County photo)

By Maria Carter

Kansas City, MO – Jackson County is launching a new program to encourage more county workers to ride the bus. KCUR's Maria Carter reports.
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One benefit of working for the Jackson county government is a free parking space downtown. That costs the county some 60 dollars each month per employee, but a new program would give county workers an alternative to driving to work, taking the bus for free. County Executive Katherine Shields says the program would save both employees and the county money.

Katherine Shields: "Seems to me that we ought to be offering free bus passes to the people who actually make the decision to ride the bus downtown and it is actually about half as expensive as providing parking."

The county will officially announce the Free Ride program Monday, March 27. Shields will challenge other organizations to provide a similar benefit to employees.

Related Links:
Kansas City Area Transportation Authority
Jackson County Government

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