This year, we’re excited to welcome Jason Sims, Director of Transportation for FIFA 2026 and Vice Chair of our host, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) as our keynote speaker. Jason has over 25 years of experience in the transportation industry and exemplifies what is means to be a “Transit Champion.” Jason is best known for his work in traffic management, safety, and system development. He provided crucial operational vision for the Kansas City Scout Traffic Management Center, launched in 2003. With his experience at the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) and at large private consulting firm, Jason is well equipped to help deliver a safe and seamless transportation experience for the World Cup next year.
Jason has the daunting task of planning for the FIFA World Cup in 2026. With millions of visitors, players, and dignitaries flooding into the city, public transit is going to be essential for moving people around without jamming the streets with more cars. From the MAX Bus Rapid Transit to the streetcar network and even passenger rail, Kansas City has a wealth of transit options with new projects planned especially for the World Cup. Jason might have his work cut out for him, but KCATA has a tremendous transit foundation to build on.
If you’d like to learn more about Kansas City’s transit system, check out these award-winning episodes form Transit Unplugged:
Our theme this year: “Transit Champions: Leading the Way to a Connected, Sustainable Future,” is intentional in all its meanings. Kansas City is well-know for all its championship teams and with the FIFA World Cup coming next year, there will be even more champions to crown. We believe “Transit Champions” are all of us. We advocate and innovate adopting new technologies. We drive policy changes and create transit systems that benefit our entire community. And we implement strategies that improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact in the world around us.
We are all “Transit Champions” by fostering a greener planet, advancing equity in transportation, and ensuring future generations have access to efficient, clean, and reliable transit solutions. As we come together at ThinkTransit to learn together, we will bring back all the excitement, innovation, and new technology to our home agencies and create more transit champions.
Don’t miss the opportunity to hear from Jason Sims and other industry leaders at ThinkTransit 2025 in Kansas City, the future host of the FIFA World Cup 2026! Register now for ThinkTransit and be part of the movement leading the way to a connected, sustainable future.