Bus services move closer to regional pass

Graphic courtesy Kansas City Area Transit Authority.

Tomorrow is a big day for regional bus riders. For the first time, riders of the four local bus systems – the Kansas City ATA, Johnson County Transit, Unified Government transit, and City of Independence Transit – can use a standard monthly pass, the first step toward a regional bus pass.

The Standard Express Monthly Pass is available at KCATA office at 1200 E. 18^th St., at Crown Center customer service, and online at The JO’s website: thejo.com.

Here’s more from the ATA:

This multi-agency agreement is one of the first outcomes of the Regional Transit Coordinating Council.

“This is an important step in making transit easier to navigate for current riders and more attractive to new riders in the Kansas City region,” said Robbie Makinen, co-chair of the Transit Coordinating Council and chair of the KCATA Board of Commissioners. “This is the first of many things that the Coordinating Council is working on to make transit a stronger travel option in our region.”

This universal pass acceptance is a precursor to a regional pass. A regional pass will be created following the regional fare study that is currently being conducted.

To use The JO pass on Metro, JO and Inde-Bus service, simply slide the pass swipe in the farebox reader on top of the farebox. On Unified Government Transit, just show the bus driver the pass. The pass is valid for fare on all fixed route service except for higher priced Metro commuter express routes and The JO’s K-10 route to Lawrence, Ks.

Other priorities for the Regional Transit Coordinating Council include regional paratransit coordination and integration of travel information online and via phone.