The additional service coming on line on May 2 was developed in response to more than 100 trip requests for service from downtown to Hospital Hill and University of Kansas Medical Center.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced that its new RideKC: Bridj microtransit service will expand service starting Monday, enabling residents in downtown Kansas City, Mo., and River Market to be able to travel to jobs near KU Medical Center, Hospital Hill, Union Station, and West 39th Street.
RideKC: Bridj currently brings workers to downtown Kansas City, Hospital Hill, University of Kansas Medical Center, from Westwood, Rosedale, Roeland Park and West 39th Street, along with the 18th and Vine Jazz District and nearby neighborhoods.
KCATA is expanding the RideKC: Bridj service in the River Market and downtown in response to the number of trip requests made through the Bridj app. Since starting service on March 7, more than 2,300 trips have been searched. The additional service coming on line on May 2 was developed in response to more than 100 trip requests for service from downtown to Hospital Hill and University of Kansas Medical Center.
“RideKC: Bridj is allowing us to provide a nimble transit service with a rich technology backbone,” said KCATA President/CEO Robbie Makinen. “The ability to target this new transit option is a powerful tool providing vital information during this pilot phase.”
The region’s fixed-route system finished out the year with a total of 373.5 million rides. Adding 12.3 million rides over 2024 represents an increase that is equal to the annual transit ridership of Kansas City.
The service is a flexible, reservation-based transit service designed to close the first- and last-mile gaps and connect riders to employment for just $5 per day.
The upgraded system, which went live earlier this month, supports METRO’s METRONow vision to enhance the customer experience, improve service reliability, and strengthen long-term regional mobility.
The agreement provides competitive wages and reflects strong labor-management collaboration, positive working relationships, and a shared commitment to building a world-class transit system for the community, said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins.
The priorities are outlined in the 2026 Board and CEO Initiatives and Action Plan, which serves as a roadmap to guide the agency’s work throughout the year and ensure continued progress and accountability on voter-approved transportation investments and essential mobility services.
