 | |
 Kansas City Area Transportation Authority bus in RideKC livery | |
| Founded | 1969 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | 1200 E. 18th Street Kansas City, Missouri 1701 W. Old 56 Hwy Olathe, Kansas |
| Service area | Kansas City Metro Area |
| Service type | Bus service Express bus service Bus rapid transit Paratransit |
| Routes | 78 Bus routes 6 MetroFlex routes 3 Bus rapid transit routes 1 Streetcar Line |
| Stops | 6,504 Bus Stops113 MAX Stations |
| Fleet | 300 buses 31 MAX buses |
| Daily ridership | 38,300 (weekdays, Q2 2025)[1] |
| Annual ridership | 12,286,400 (2024)[2] |
| Website | ridekc kcata |
TheKansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is a publictransit agency inmetropolitan Kansas City. It operates theMetro Area Express (MAX)bus rapid transit service inKansas City, Missouri, and 78local bus routes in seven counties ofMissouri andKansas. In 2024, the system had a ridership of 12,286,400, about 38,300 per weekday as of the second quarter of 2025.
The KCATA is a bi-state agency formed by aninterstate compact between Kansas and Missouri in 1965–6. Authorized by both states' legislatures and anact of Congress,[3] the agency's jurisdiction includesCass,Clay,Jackson andPlatte counties in Missouri andJohnson,Leavenworth andWyandotte counties in Kansas. The agency is governed by a board of ten commissioners, five from each state.[4] Operations began in 1969, when the KCATA took over bus routes previously run by theKansas City Public Service Company.
In 2014, KCATA, Johnson County Transit, UG Transit and IndeBus announced that all services would be merged into one service,RideKC by 2019. The Johnson County, KS Commissioners pulled out of KCATA management agreement effective August 1, 2022 but retained the partnership with the regional RideKC transit branding and planning.
KCATA became afare-free system in March 2020 as part of a proposal from the city government combined with changes due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.[5] The program was initially funded by a $4.8 million line item in the annual budget and later by federal pandemic relief funding.[6] The base fare was previously $1.50 for adult passengers and a reduced rate for students, veterans, senior citizens, and people with disabilities.[7][8] Monthly passes were valid for 31 consecutive days from first activation, while day passes are only able to be used for one service day.[9] Visitor passes were able to be purchased online and are able to be used for three consecutive days. Most passes were accepted across regional transit providers.
Fares are planned to be reintroduced in 2026 as part of a new contract between KCATA and the city government that was approved in August 2025. The $2 base fare was selected to prevent cuts to bus service in the city.[10]
There are many Transit Centers and major Park and Rides in the RideKC service area.
Bus rapid transit in Kansas City debuted with the launch ofMetro Area Express in July 2005. The 12-mile (19 km) corridor onMain Street links theRiver Market,Downtown,Crown Center and the Plaza Area. A second BRT line, on 13 miles (21 km) ofTroost Avenue, started service on January 1, 2011. The third line, along the Prospect Avenue corridor, began service in December 2019.[11]
| Statewide transit | |
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| Local bus systems | |
