Kansas City Stays Losing Bus Funding As Free Rides Fade

First, a basic fact . . .

Without COVID cash and given so many suburban opt outs . . . The KCATA confronts less funding and a much tighter budget.

Consider . . . 

There are a lot of people to blame for this fact of life but our blog community has always contended that KCMO using transit funds like a piggy bank is the worst culprit and "transit-oriented development" is just a nicer term for corporate looting. Sadly, a bit of forensic accounting doesn't make for fun reading and so many reports documenting sketchy developer deals create a stir amongst the cowtown civic set but don't really play well for the clueless plebs on social media.  

Meanwhile . . .

KCMO is working diligently to spin the situation, here's a recent quote that mostly garnered online hateration: 

"We’re expanding our investment in public transit, with $69.9M total proposed for KCATA. This includes a proposed $40.6M from a dedicated sales tax to keep transit operations running strong."

Accordingly . . .

 A slew of activists and now cowtown public radio predict a dire future for metro transit and the INEVITABLE end of local free rides . . .  

"The KCATA has fewer routes than it’s had in decades. In the past few years, Independence, Blue Springs, Gladstone, Raytown, Liberty, Parkville and Riverside have cut their funding to the agency — which, in turn has killed most of the suburban Missouri routes.

"More lines and driver jobs are on the chopping block, with Kansas City set to pass a budget with one million dollars less for the KCATA than last year. That could make it harder for people to access jobs, appointments, groceries and entertainment."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Kansas City could be on a fast track to slower buses and a stunted economy

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.