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While it's free to ride the bus in Kansas City, only 13% of low-income households are near a transit system. KCATA says it's working to hire drivers and expand routes.

Robbie Makinen, who's led the agency since 2016, reportedly resisted a "money grab" by top Kansas City officials who sought millions in federal pandemic recovery funds awarded to the KCATA in order to pay for new streetlights.

With passengers riding buses along 57 routes with 3,500 stops in Kansas City, Missouri, "not a day goes by without some sort of incident." District road supervisors like Ken Lewis are in charge of everyone's safety.

Before becoming dependent on the automobile, Kansas City was once known for its expansive public transit system. At one point, it had one of the largest cable car networks in the country.

Despite sometimes confusing route changes, long wait times and other minor inconveniences, some Kansas Citians use public transit because they want to. But even more of the city might fall under the category of "aspirational transit users."

Kansas City's need for more robust, user-friendly transit has been a major talking point for years. But the city was built for cars, and getting around using anything other than a personal automobile requires a special kind of effort.

Despite long wait times between buses, confusing route changes and other inconveniences, these Kansas Citians use public transit not because they have to, but because they want to. Here's why that matters.

Despite being designed for cars, Kansas City is home to people who rely on the bus every day. We spent a day riding along with Richard Heimer to learn what's working and what's not in our public transit system.

Despite making strides in public transportation over the last decade, few Kansas Citians ride the bus. We'll explore why — and how the city could improve the bus system. Plus, lessons from Kansas City’s Black WWI veterans on the durability of democracy.

More buses coming to bus stops more frequently makes public transit more appealing.

Johnson County will have limited seven-day service for the first time, with an addition to the county's micro transit schedule. More stops will be added to some existing bus routes and an entirely new route between downtown Overland Park and Lenexa will be introduced this year.

Maxine Mitchell, a bus driver for UMKC and local school districts, says she's grateful to have students returning to her routes, but she's noticed changes in behaviors since the pandemic began.