The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and RideKC will resume fare collection on regional bus service beginning June 1, after several years of zero-fare transit service.

Beginning May 26, riders will be able to download the RideKCGO mobile app, set up their account, and add funds to pay for rides with a tap.

The RideKCGO mobile app is one of four easy ways riders can pay fares across the RideKC system.

In addition to the RideKCGO mobile app, riders may purchase limited-use day passes, the agency said.

Additional fare payment options include contactless “Tap to Pay” using eligible debit, credit, or prepaid cards. The system accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.

Reintroducing Fares

Beginning June 1, standard fares for RideKC bus routes will be:

• Single Ride: $2
• Day Pass: $4
• Weekly Pass: $20
• Monthly Pass: $62.50

To make riding easier and more convenient, RideKC’s new fare system will include “fare capping,” which will automatically limit how much riders pay each day, week, or month. Riders who pay for single trips will never pay more than the equivalent cost of a daily, weekly, or monthly pass once they reach that spending threshold, said officials.

“Change is never easy,” said Chuck Ferguson, interim CEO of KCATA, “However, this return to fare collection is essential to long-term transit sustainability. And when it comes down to it, it’s truly about helping people get where they need to go safely — whether that’s work, school, healthcare, or essential services — and building a stronger, more connected community in the process.”

KCATA and RideKC are also launching the RideKC Free & Reduced Fare Program, designed to help eligible riders continue accessing public transportation at either free or reduced fares.

The program will support low-income individuals, older adults, people with disabilities, youth, and others who may need transportation assistance.

Transition from Fare Free Service

KCATA and RideKC operated fare-free transit service from 2020 until the program’s recent end, making KCATA one of the first major transit agencies in the US to do so.

The Zero Fare initiative was applied across KCATA bus routes and was intended to improve access to jobs, healthcare, education, and other essential services while reducing barriers to using public transportation.

During its run, the program drew national attention as transit agencies across the country evaluated fare-free models to boost ridership and expand access to mobility.