By now you know that ThinkTransit will be heading to Kansas City in March 2025 and before you ask, “Kansas or Missouri?” (yes), let’s talk about our host agency Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA). And thanks to our friends at Transit Unplugged, we have podcast and Transit Unplugged TV episodes to share with you so you can get the full KC experience before you get there.
A unique agency in a unique city
Kansas City straddles the states of Kansas and Missouri, which would usually make running a transit system a little tricky. But Kansas City is pretty unique, so they have a unique system as well. KCATA was created as an interstate compact in 1965-66 by the two states and Congress to provide transit service in seven counties and the city across both states. But more than that, as KCATA CEO Frank White, III talks about on Transit Unplugged, KCATA is a transportation authority with a broad mandate to improve and manage transportation in the region. For KCATA this means putting transit oriented development (TOD) front and center to improve the lives of everyone.
And that focus on TOD is paying dividends for the entire region.
Most famously, KCATA (and RideKC) are fare-free for their buses and streetcars (on-demand microtransit charges fares). Started just before the pandemic in early 2020, it was an effort to ensure access to transportation wasn’t a barrier to anyone getting to work or school. KCATA is one of the largest fare-free systems in the U.S. and has been successful in connecting people to opportunity.
Integrated connections with bus, BRT, streetcars, and rail
KCATA provides only a portion of the transit options in the city, but is integrated with the downtown streetcar and Amtrak rail connections. KCATA operates bus, bus rapid transit (BRT), paratransit, and on-demand microtransit throughout the service area and works with KC Streetcar (also zero fare) as part of their RideKC network.
This entire network also connects to historic—and recently renovated—Union Station for Amtrak rail service to points beyond.
As you’ll see (and hear) below, these connections are essential to Frank White, III’s plans for economic development and reconnecting parts of the city that have been separated over the years by streets and highways. The BRT system and streetcar are essential to both economic development and TOD.
See and hear for yourself on Transit Unplugged
But seeing (and hearing) is believing, so check out Transit Unplugged TV from Kansas City (with their world-famous barbecue) and these episodes featuring KCATA CEO Frank White, III. While not our host, per se, we’re sure you’ll also like to listen to KC Streetcar CEO Tom Gerend’s episode as well.
Watch Transit Unplugged TV:
The Transit Unplugged podcast
- Frank White, III at the Transit Unplugged CEO roundtable at APTA (part 1 and part 2)
- Frank White, III on KCATA and TOD
- Tom Gerend on KC Streetcar
- Frank White, III from the ThinkTransit CEO Panel in Tucson
Stay in the loop with everything ThinkTransit!
And don’t forget to sign up for ThinkTransit news so you’ll be first to hear all the news including hotel information, when registration opens, and our keynote speakers.