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In recent years, most Kansas City suburbs have cut transportation funding, which means fewer and slower buses. Local officials are racing to fix that. Plus: High school graduation rates in Kansas are higher than ever. But some people worry that the growth of credit recovery programs could be lowering standards for students.

Most Kansas City suburbs have stopped their transit funding in recent years, ending many of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s suburban bus routes. Experts say that’s put the area into a transit death spiral.

Hotel rooms, buses, and liquor laws are just a few of the problems that Kansas City will need to figure out in the next year, before the first World Cup games kick off at Arrowhead Stadium next June.

The ordinance passed by Kansas City Council this week, meant to prevent drastic service cuts and increase oversight, would bring back fares and could end the city’s rideshare service. But KCATA said service reductions are still necessary.

The six-month plan would fully fund the transit agency while it seeks funding from other places and demands more accountability from KCATA. It calls for reinstating fares and could end the city’s rideshare service IRIS, which was meant to fill transit gaps.

Public transportation users fear that Kansas City's proposed budget plans would lead to KCATA eliminating routes and slowing service, and create a negative spiral effect for bus funding and usage.

The drastic service cuts proposed by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority to fill a budget hole mean remaining routes will run less frequently and likely get more crowded. Riders and drivers hope it won't come to that.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority plans to cut nearly half its bus routes, drastically reduce weekend service, and lay off 171 workers, according to documents obtained by KCUR. What will this mean for the Kansas Citians who rely on public transit to get around?

According to documents obtained by KCUR, the agency plans to cut nearly half of its routes, drastically reduce weekend service and pare down its operating hours. It will also lay off about 171 workers.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority has struggled for years to provide fast and frequent bus service. Many suburbs have pulled their funding, which resulted in route cuts, and a feud between Kansas City leaders and the agency may result in even more.

Financial troubles with the KCATA could come at a cost to bus riders in the future. A budget shortfall could mean the end of free bus service, a reduction of routes and layoffs if the agency can't secure additional funding. Kansas City Mayor Pro Tem Ryana-Parks Shaw says that no matter what, service will look different in the future.

Robert Galicia, an immigrant from Mexico City and a Chiefs fanatic, started hosting tailgates at Arrowhead Stadium in a school bus in 2013. He's grown those tailgates into a successful business, the "Red Machine," which has helped him to find community and a sense of belonging in the U.S.