RideKC Veterans Pass Needed to Ride Beginning July 1

(Kansas City, MO – June 28, 2017) Free fare on all RideKC bus routes is available to veterans with a Veterans Pass. Starting July 1, 2017, the RideKC Veterans Pass will be the only form of identification that will allow veterans to ride for free on RideKC bus routes. Kansas City area veterans can get the pass at the Veterans Community Project, 8900 Troost, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Free Fare for Veterans program began in April of this year. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA), in partnership with the Kansas City Veterans Administration and the Veterans Community Project, is honoring veterans through a free fare program. The initiative is sponsored by the Greater Kansas City Labor Unions/AFL-CIO.

The program includes all veterans; it is not limited to disabled or decorated veterans. By reducing the cost barrier to riding transit, veterans will have improved access to jobs, healthcare and recreation.

VCP will continue to distribute cards after the July 1 deadline. However, riders will need to pay regular fare after July 1 until they get a Veterans Pass. This card will be a photo ID. The program is available to the estimated 115,000 veterans living in the greater Kansas City region.

“KCATA and our regional RideKC transit partners are proud and honored to offer this resource to those who have served our country,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA president & CEO. “Strong community partnerships are making it possible for veterans to access jobs, education, health care and recreation at no cost on RideKC.”

The improved access to transit will have a positive impact on the lives of local veterans, connecting them to healthcare, jobs and education.

"Public transportation offers a critical outlet for Veterans seeking to access existing services and resources,” said Chris Stout, Veterans Community Project. “For homeless Veterans, mobility is often the most significant impediment to obtaining shelter, affordable housing, education, and employment.”

To check hours and availability, veterans can call the Veterans Community Project at 816.599.6503. VCP will be open July 3. Offices will be closed Tuesday, July 4, to observe the Independence Day holiday.