Public comments in the Northland focused on transit funding, arts support, violence prevention programs and wages for city employees.
transit
Posted inMeeting Notes
Residents weigh in on transit and World Cup spending at Kansas City’s second budget hearing
Comments focused on public transportation, violence prevention and proposed cuts to nonprofit programs in the city’s proposed $2.5 billion budget, with some also questioning World Cup-related transit and infrastructure priorities.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Transit, public safety and the arts take center stage at Kansas City budget hearing
During the first public hearing on Kansas City’s proposed $2.5 billion budget, residents urged the council to reconsider cuts to neighborhood and arts programs and increase funding for public transit.
Posted inMeeting Notes
Wyandotte County discusses World Cup transit upgrades, prepares next phase of Vision Zero
Plans include increased frequency, expanded microtransit and extended weekend bus hours. Commissioners also discussed traffic safety efforts and updates to special event vendor regulations.
Posted inKansas City
Kansas City will lose nearly half its bus routes under transit agency’s drastic cost-cutting plan
According to documents obtained by KCUR, the agency plans to cut nearly half of its routes, drastically reduce weekend service and pare down its operating hours. It will also lay off about 170 workers.
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita’s bus riders want better service, but money is short
Samantha Richardson just started her new job at Pratt Industries in Park City. The only problem? Her 12-mile commute without a car. So she takes the bus. It gets close and it’s cheaper than Uber or Lyft. But Wichita’s bus network can feel anemic. Its flaws sometimes force Richardson to choose between putting in some […]
Posted inEconomics, Local Government
The multi-million dollar cost behind eliminating free bus fares in Kansas City
Takeaways: The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority could soon stick riders with fares again — after spending millions on modern fare boxes. Facing a $12 million to $15 million gap in its budget, the agency has been talking about reintroducing bus fares, three years after becoming the first major U.S. city to make public transit free. […]
Posted inLocal Government
Fare-free buses might be good for Kansas Citians’ health
Takeaways: Almost four years after Kansas City became the first major American city to completely abandon bus fares, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority may go back to making riders pay. But researchers studying the public health effects of free-to-ride buses suggest considering a bigger picture before hitting up riders for money. Public health researchers […]
Posted inLocal Government
Wichita spent nearly $8 million on overtime compensation in 2021. Here’s where the money went.
Fernando Rodriguez feels drained after returning home from a 14-hour shift driving a bus for Wichita Transit. It’s late in the evening and he doesn’t have the energy to do anything, but he still has a family to take care of — a wife and two children ages 6 and 16. Rodriguez is one of […]
Posted inLocal Government
Why has Wichita removed 189 bus stops in 2021?
When Cindy Coss picked Dodge Literacy Magnet Elementary for her son, a huge draw was the bus stop three blocks away from the school. “‘It was like, ‘Yay,’” Coss said, when they learned of the bus stop at Maple and Bebe streets. Coss can’t drive due to epilepsy. She relies on the city bus system […]