Kansas City is inching closer to eliminating bus fares, and the system’s man in charge says the idea could have a huge ripple effect.
Robbie Mackinen, president and CEO of the Kansas City Transportation Authority, says most of the system’s riders are headed to and from work and school. He believes free rides could keep the money in the pockets of citizens and help to spur economic development.
"People loading, unloading, it makes the trip faster, the route faster, because nobody's fumbling in their pocket for change, and/or arguing about whether or not they're going to pay $1.50 or not," Mackinen said.
Mackinen has been in talks with the mayor and the Kansas City Council about a no fare system, and says he and his colleagues are ready to move forward with an optimistic target date of January 1, 2020.
The KCATA spends $8 million each year to run its buses, with most of the money being generated from fares. The city’s annual budget is $1.7 billion. Mackinen believes there is a way to cover fareless operating costs.