The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council voted 12-0 to approve an agreement to keep bus service running in the city.

Kansas City

The Kansas City City Council has approved a $79 million funding agreement to maintain bus services through the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). The agreement, which will last for 12 years, ensures that bus routes will continue to operate without immediate changes, providing relief to riders who have faced uncertainty about the future of public transportation in the city.

While the current zero-fare system remains in place for now, the new agreement includes provisions for a fare plan, meaning that free rides could end in the future. The KCATA board is expected to make a final decision on the agreement, but officials and riders have expressed optimism and relief that essential transportation services will continue.

Kansas City council approves agreement to continue KCATA

Well, turning to news bus services will continue in Kansas City, but it could come with a cost to riders. The Kansas City City Council signed off on an agreement today, just 24 hours before that deadline. In addition to city funding, the agreement calls for a fair plan. So as you know, right now, bus rides are free, but as a voice for everyone that could change. We've talked with multiple people on this funding issue. Many of you said you were concerned about having the service at all. But you also mentioned the benefits of the free ride. Easy transportation, it saves money. Environmental reasons initially, and then the cost. It's zero fare right now, which is really great. But with this bus routes being cut, being cut, and being fares being brought back, it's going to be so much harder. Even for people who's already working jobs, it's going to be that much harder. Despite changes ahead, today's agreement is a relief for riders who've been facing this uncertainty for weeks. KSHB 41's Lenita Brooks joins us live. And Lenita, you've heard from people on all sides of the situation. Yeah, as you all mentioned, we've been covering this for weeks. And right now we're outside of KCAT Transit where riders can breathe a sigh of relief because there won't be any changes to any of the bus routes at this time. The KCATA president told me that he is just thankful that this is all over and that they were able to reach an agreement. And that same sentiment can be felt amongst riders who, for many of them, this is their only means of transportation. I can't do nothing. I'll be darned if I lose a job over a bus system. The City Council approved $79 million in funding for a 12-year contract that will keep buses operational through next April. One rider we spoke to became emotional, saying a cut would have really impacted her livelihood. We've been, like, nervous as heck. Trying to figure out if we're going to worry about the bus being cut out. Because I was told if we don't have the bus system, we will have to ride KC door-to-door service. How are we supposed to get around? At the end of the day, we're here to serve. And the people who need us, depend on us to go to work, to dialysis, shop, whatever. That ought to be first in mind. But at the same time, you are negotiating a contract. And contracts have meaning. And so our obligation is to make sure that whatever contract we do engage in with any of our partners, not just City of Kansas City, Missouri, make sure they can be sustainable long-term and provide the services as the agency was designed to provide. And so now, tomorrow at 8 a.m., it will go before the KCATA board, where they will make a final decision and vote on that. But the president did tell me that he's feeling very optimistic about the outcome. But for now, we're live in Kansas City. Lanita Brooks, KSHB 41 News.

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