Kansas City Star Op/Ed Pushes Zero Fare Redux Despite FAIL

Sadly, we notice the last remaining columnists for the newspaper so completely out of touch that they won't admit freebie bus transit was one of the worst decisions for Kansas City transit in the modern era. 

The freebie rides chased people away from public transit, created an unsafe environment, elicited constant complaints from drivers and did longstanding damage to municipal funding for bus riders.

Free passes for the truly needy were always the better option but wouldn't have merited headlines for ambitious politicos.  

Sadly . . .

Instead of listening to riders, drivers and administrators . . . This recent missive from the newspaper imagines a "transformative" solution to a problem that is best addressed by coupon.

Check-it . . .  

"If houseless people can’t travel about the city to jobs, the doctor, to school, to get groceries, or access services of any kind, the whole effort is at risk of unraveling. 

"The city bus system is a lifeline for Kansas City’s homeless population. Until June, right before the city hosted the World Cup games this summer, bus rides were free, and they had been for six years. The claim was that the COVID money had footed a chunk of the bill, allowing free rides. That money ran out. 

"Now a single ride is $2 and a monthly pass is $62.50. The buses don’t take cash; riders can pay digitally, tap a card, or use a prepaid pass card, available in one location in Kansas City and one spot in Kansas City, Kansas. 

"But what if you’re poor, you don’t have a phone, or a credit card, or cash for that matter, how do you ride the bus? And of course, those are the folks who most often need the service. And believe me, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is well aware of who their riders are."

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

Ending homelessness is doomed without free access to public buses | Williams

The Kansas City Transportation Authority provides free passes so those without money can get to resources, but the program won't last. From Mará Rose Williams:

Skip the paywall and read by way of Internet archive or public library card.