by bshields
on September 06, 2024
in

When David Williams was first hired at the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) he probably had a pretty good idea it was going to be a career. After all, his grandfather, father and uncle collected over 120 years as streetcar and/or bus operators. And sure enough, despite pursuing his musical pursuits in between, DT has now been with KCATA nearly 30 years and still going strong. Rocking and rolling all day long. Check out this video profile of Instructor David Williams.

by Bridget
on March 15, 2023
in

Kansas City bus operators have an important job, connecting people to work, healthcare, education and more. They deal with a lot of challenges, whether it’s the weather, traffic, detours, or a customer in a bad mood. 

No matter the circumstances, bus operators persevere. They work all hours, in all weather to make sure you have safe, reliable transportation.

Now is a good time to send a heartfelt “Thank you” to the 400-plus Kansas City bus operators. This week, transit systems across the globe pay tribute to their hardworking operators when they celebrate Transit Driver Appreciation Day (TDAD). Transit Driver Appreciation Day is usually celebrated March 18, but we are celebrating a day early on Friday.

TDAD began in 2009, when two transit riders from Seattle wrote a blog post that inspired an international movement. RideKC is encouraging customers to join transit riders everywhere in showing appreciation to their operators.

Best Ways to Celebrate Transit Driver Appreciation Day 

Say Thank You. It’s easy, it’s direct and it’s free. Just tell your driver “Thank you,” “I appreciate you,” or “You make a difference to me.” You get the idea – a few simple words is all it takes. Nonverbal communication works too. A thumbs up or a friendly wave will let them know they matter to you.

Tell their boss. Use RideKC.org/contact to tell us about your favorite drivers. If you don’t know their name, be sure to let us know when and where you most recently caught their bus, and we should be able to identify them, and pass along the compliments.

Go social. Let the world know what’s great about your bus driver. Go to social media to share how they make Kansas City better, whether it's through a consistent helpful attitude or a heroic action like helping someone in a medical emergency. Be sure to use the hashtags #TDAD. We’d love it if you tag us on Twitter (@RideKCTransit), Facebook (@RideKC) or Instagram (@RideKC).

Kansas City bus operators have served on the frontlines during the pandemic, getting other essential workers to jobs in healthcare, food service, childcare, and more. We appreciate our bus operators every day, but we want you to join us and transit fans across the world in saying “Good job” in honor of Transit Driver Appreciation Day.

Thank you, RideKC Bus Operators!

by Bridget
on October 17, 2022
in

RideKC Operator Charles Henderson, Badge #9, was recently presented with a 2022 Missouri Transit Operator Champion award by the Missouri Public Transit Association (MPTA), the statewide transit association representing all 34 transit providers. The award honors transit operators across the state for their selfless dedication and heroism. The MPTA recognized a total of 16 transit operators with this award at the 2022 State Conference and Expo, held in Springfield in September.

Henderson was nominated for this recognition by the KCATA for delivering top-notch customer service every day to every customer.

"Charles understands that he is transporting precious cargo – people, not packages – and is always at work ready to serve his community with pride," nominator and Road Supervisor Barrett Lee said. "He smiles when he drives his bus, says good morning and tells customers to have a nice day when they leave. He understands that going above and beyond doesn’t always mean lifesaving feats. Sometimes, the little things, like a smile and empathy, touch people in lifesaving ways and he does that in an exemplary way. Henderson truly makes every person feel special, no matter their circumstances or standing in life, and those at KCATA feel lucky and proud to have him on their team."

Henderson has driven a bus for more than 28 years. He's a regular driver on the 201 North Oak. 

Vice President of Operations Chuck Ferguson presented Henderson with the award and a gift card from MPTA in front of a cheering crowd of Henderson's coworkers. 

"Charles appreciates the needs of his customers, and has a deep sense of service," Ferguson said. "He told me, 'I've got their backs, and they've got mine.' Charles delivers exceptional customer service, and the riders of the 201 are grateful for him. We are proud to have him representing RideKC. Thanks to MPTA for recognizing Charles as a Transit Champion." 

“Despite countless challenges these past two years, transit operators have provided critical public transportation services in every county, every single day in Missouri,” commented Kimberly Cella, executive director of the Missouri Public Transit Association. “This would not be possible without the dedication of hundreds of operators, many of whom go way beyond the call of duty to assist riders. They leave lasting impressions on those within the communities they serve, but their stories often go unnoticed by the masses. This award aims to recognize them for their dedication.”

The MPTA recognized a total of 16 transit operators with this award at the 2022 State Conference and Expo held in Springfield in September.

by Bridget
on October 07, 2022
in

RideKC was recently honored with two awards from the American Public Transportation Association for its marketing and communications efforts last year. The AdWheel awards recognize RideKC’s work in social media and special events. The agency won “Best Marketing and Communications to Highlight Transit Needs/Funding - Social Media” for The White House visit to RideKC, and “Best Marketing and Communications on COVID-19 - Special Event” for teaming up with a local hospital to provide transportation for vaccinations.

In December 2021, United States President Joseph Biden visited RideKC headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., to address how the Bi-Partisan Infrastructure Law would benefit the transit and transportation industries. While the eyes of the nation were on Kansas City, RideKC seized this opportunity to highlight our agency priorities and the potential benefits of increased public transit funding.

RideKC and KCATA were thrilled to provide a location, but any details and messaging for the visit were truly a state secret. RideKC’s social media manager was not guaranteed access to the event, so we had to prepare to cover this for our social media followers remotely, while experiencing it on C-SPAN or through local media coverage. RideKC concentrated its social activity on Twitter, with follow-up on our strongest and most relevant network, relying on real-time tweets.

RideKC focused our messaging on our local priorities for transit which would be aided by increased federal funding, along with celebrating recent projects that were made possible in part by federal support for local transit.

The response to the social media was overwhelmingly positive, with a 10X increase in engagements and an 8X increase in impressions. Several high-profile local reporters and news outlets, APTA, and local elected officials shared RideKC’s pro-transit message.  

The legislation will expand public transit options in Missouri, Kansas and every state in the country, replace thousands of deficient transit vehicles, including buses, with clean, zero emission vehicles, and improve accessibility for the elderly and people with disabilities. pic.twitter.com/o0hwsdHpCL

— RideKC (@RideKCTransit) December 8, 2021

It will drive the creation of good-paying union jobs and grow the economy sustainably and equitably so that everyone gets ahead for decades to come. Combined with the Build Back Framework, it will add on average 1.5 million jobs per year for the next 10 years. pic.twitter.com/jYV2DvLgr4

— RideKC (@RideKCTransit) December 8, 2021

COVID Vaccination Efforts Win Praise 

RideKC also received an award for our special event to connect senior citizens with COVID-19 vaccines.

Residents of the Housing Authority of Kansas City (HAKC) were signing up for vaccines when the COVID-19 vaccines were first distributed. However, when registering for the shots they often reported they didn’t have transportation to get to the vaccination site. University Health reached out to RideKC for assistance, and we quickly came up with a plan to get the residents from their apartment complex to the hospital and home.

There was more public awareness of transit’s role in the pandemic. The event highlighted KCATA’s role in getting people to healthcare, jobs, housing and education even during the pandemic. After this event, other government agencies and organizations called on KCATA, including the governor of Missouri and Children’s Mercy Hospital.  

This is another example of how RideKC has weaved itself into the fabric of the community to help our most vulnerable populations get to valuable healthcare services during the pandemic.

by Bridget
on June 02, 2022
in

Time is running out to see the Parade of Hearts in the KC region. Join RideKC for a virtual tour, or take a RideKC bus or KC Streetcar to see some of the hearts in person.

Parade of Hearts is a public arts experience in the Heartland of the United States.  Until June 10, original artwork is on display around the region. The project is raising funds for those most affected by the events of 2020 and 2021.

Local artists designed 5-foot tall, three-dimensional heart sculptures. These unique pieces of art have been placed throughout the region. 

No doubt you’ve seen the hearts while on your RideKC bus. To find all the hearts, download the Parade of Hearts app. It’s a virtual guide to Kansas City’s original public HeART experience. You can navigate your way through the city with the help of this app. You can learn about each artist and the meaning behind their heart. An interactive map makes it easy to find nearby hearts.

We’ve highlighted some of our favorite hearts along RideKC routes. Check out the video previews, and then go see them in person by June 10.

HeARTs Preview Click for video on YouTube

HeARTS around KU Med Center

HeARTs in Jazz District Click for video on YouTube

HeARTS on Central Ave.

HeARTS in Downtown KCK

HeARTS around Union Station and WWI Museum
 

What is the symbolism behind the KC heart?

The heart has been a part of KC for more than 100 years. In the early 1900’s railroad workers work KC Heart pins to identify where they were from. According to the Parade of Hearts, the “Heart of America” has been displayed in the form of railroad pins, at civic events, on t-shirts, to the uniforms of the legendary Monarchs Negro League Baseball Team who sported the KC heart on their uniforms.

by Bridget
on April 21, 2022
in

The True Cost of Driving

Taking RideKC can save you money. Try our easy to use cost of driving calculator to see how much you spend driving to and from work. Enter your information and click on calculate to see the results. Then, get ready to ride!

* Based on the following estimates for increased costs of maintenance and tire replacement per mile. 

** Those who receive free parking may instead be entitled to a public transit subsidy up to $280 per month.
*** If you can live with one less vehicle in your household, you would save an additional $6,624 in car ownership cost (full-coverage insurance, license, registration, taxes, depreciation and finance charge).
The ownership, maintenance and tire replacement cost are from the AAA 2021 Your Driving Costs. Calculator courtesy of American Public Transit Association. 

Live outside of the Kansas City area and want to find your local transit provider? Visit the Public Transit in Your Community to locate the public transit system where you live.

Ready to RideKC? 

In just a few minutes, you can learn everything you need to know to ride like a pro.

• Use Transit App or online trip planning to plan your route.
• Track your bus with our Transit app or tools on our website.
• Want on-the-go info? Visit the App Center.

Have questions about how to ride? Call the Regional Call Center at 816-221-0660. 

by Bridget
on March 10, 2022
in

RideKC is upgrading all its riders to Transit Royale, the new subscription in its official app, Transit. Our riders now have access to a free Royale subscription, which unlocks:

• Additional features
• Special RideKC branding
• New customization options
• And, complete access to the app across the more than 300 cities supported worldwide

In August 2021, Royale launched in cities where transit agencies had not already chosen Transit as their official or recommended app for riders. Today, RideKC joins systems across the country in gifting Royale to all its riders, with more agencies planning announcements in the coming months.

As the update rolls out, riders in Kansas City will see a screen informing them that RideKC is upgrading them to Transit Royale. From there, you can simply tap to redeem your free subscription.

With Royale, riders have access to power features such as customizable themes, as well as personalized emoji avatars that allow riders to become celebrities on their local bus line and leaderboards for users competing to help the most riders with GO crowdsourcing. RideKC riders will also be the first to access new features like Transit’s brand new schedule changes visualizer, ensuring they always have a cutting-edge app experience from RideKC.

This partnership also unlocks the special ability for riders to switch the app icon and theme to match RideKC’s branding – offering riders a world-class mobile app experience that is at once universal and locally-branded.

RideKC riders already use Transit to plan and track complete tripsThrough Royale, RideKC is working with Transit to provide a world-class app free of privacy-invading advertising.

“Since Guillaume and I started Transit almost a decade ago, our mission has been to help people get around without their own car. As the company has grown, we’ve always put public transit first, working closely with our partners across the industry to bring everything riders need together in one place,” said Sam Vermette, CEO of Transit. “By providing free Royale subscriptions to everyone who rides, we’re working hand-in-hand with our partners at RideKC to unlock the best app experience for riders.”

Transit is available in the App Store or Google Play, or by visiting www.transitapp.com.

by Bridget
on August 04, 2021
in

Chris Spiwak is KCATA’s Transit Street Outreach Worker for homeless people in our community. KCATA partnered with the ReDiscover to implement a pilot program that will give resources to homeless people on buses and at transit stops around Kansas City, Missouri.   

Spiwak has worked at ReDiscover for three years in the transitional living program. He says he’s always been outgoing and not afraid to talk to strangers.

“I built great relationships with the clients,” said Spiwak. 

The ability to talk to strangers helps him in his current role as a transit street outreach worker. Every day, he goes out with transit security to stops to give resources to those in need.

“When I get to the scene, if they want help, I can get them help right there. But they have to want it. I carry brochures with resources for them. Sometimes it takes three or four conversations before they trust me enough to take the help.” Spiwak offers customers access to housing resources and tries to meet their immediate needs. He can send them to a triage place where they will get immediate help.

KCATA CEO Robbie Makinen says this is just what a transit agency is supposed to be doing.

“Homelessness is not a transit issue, it’s a community issue,” said Makinen. “The City had devoted funding to improve conditions for the homeless, non-profit agencies are partnering to offer resources to help, and now RideKC is stepping up to give people access to support services. We are not going to run away from the people who need us most. We’re going to run towards them.”

Spiwak says he talks to several people each day. He goes out at different times of the day so he can make sure to reach different people at the stops and on the buses.

Each day is different and sometimes things can get challenging. “I know when to stay back,” said Spiwak. Spiwak says some people get angry or defensive and aren’t interested in help. But Spiwak continues his work “because at the end of the day I know they are people too and they just need support.”

Spiwak says he’s surprised at the reception he’s received from people near the stops. He says he hopes the year-long pilot is extended because there are so many people who need help.  "Even if they don’t accept my help the first time I meet them, I’m going to constantly be there until the day they say they are ready for a change.” 

by Bridget
on March 03, 2021
in

What is the connection between race and the way communities have built roads and highways? During the last week of Black History Month, KCATA staff had the opportunity to hear from Michael Kelley, BikeWalkKC Policy Director, about how transportation planning has negatively impacted communities of color.

Post War Development

In the mid-1950s, President Eisenhower promoted building highways under the Federal Aid Highway Act. In this post-war boom, 41,000 miles of interstate highways were built. The highways were promoted as a way to improve national defense by allowing for the movement of troops across the nation. Another effect, however, was sprawl and quick growth of the suburbs. Under the GI Bill, veterans had access to bank loans for purchasing and building homes, as well as buying automobiles. Most banks refused to give mortgages or other loans to Black people, making the benefit not applicable to Black GIs.

Across the nation, the building of highways was promoted as method of “urban renewal” and the removal of blight. Communities of color were frequently targeted, as racism and racist policies devalued these communities and the property owned by minorities. In “clearing out” these locations, community ties were weakened, and property values fell.

The highways also accelerated white flight, allowing families leave cities and to access suburbs quickly. The highways provided quicker access to job centers from the farther flung suburbs.

The Local Story: US Highway 71 

Kelley provided a closer look at the history and construction of US Highway 71, finished in 2001. The intersections of US 71 and Gregory, 55th and 59th are among some of the most crash-heavy spots in Kansas City. The highway travels through some the census tracts with the lowest numbers of car ownership, creating isolation. The Connecting Swope study looked at ways safety could be improved in the areas surrounding the highway. It is awaiting funding and direction from the Missouri Department of Transportation.

“If we build highways for automobiles, but build those highways through part so the city where people have the most limited access to those automobiles, we are isolating them from the resources they need to achieve and maintain a good quality of life,” Kelley explained.

Kelley also noted that over the time that US  71 was planned and built, all levels of government, from local to federal, have decreased the proportion of spending on multi-modal transportation. Investments in transit, walking and biking have been slow to come to this part of Kansas City.  Additionally, the emphasis on the throughput and speed of roadways has made them more dangerous if a person is hit by a car. For example, if a person is hit by a car at 20 MPH, they have a 90% chance of surviving versus a 20% chance of survival if a car is going 40 MPH.  

Complete Streets and Vision Zero 

Locally and nationally, communities are recognizing the connection between roads, traffic, equity and health. Complete Streets is a policy that many communities, including Kansas City, Mo., have adopted. Complete Streets are streets for all road users, especially “people who have experienced systemic underinvestment or whose needs have not been met through a traditional transportation approach,” such as older adults, people with disabilities or people without a car, according to Smart Growth America. 

Vision Zero is a strategy to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries on roadways by providing safe, healthy and equitable mobility for all.  The City of Kansas City, Mo., recently created a Vision Zero Task Force to develop an action plan to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries by 2030. KCATA is participating in the Task Force and is supportive of its goals.

Take Action 

Are you inspired to learn more and take action?

BikeWalkKC has an upcoming advocacy training at 6 p.m. on Thursday, March 4. It will explain how active transportation policy works at the federal, state and local levels, and how people can get involved. Sign up at the BikeWalkKC website and follow their events for future opportunities. See: https://bikewalkkc.org/events/advocacy-101/

To dig deeper into the connections between race and transportation, Michael Kelley’s provides a shortlist of recommended reading:

• Bicycle/Race, Dr. Adonia Lugo
• The Color of Law, Richard Rothstein
• Transportation, Race and Equity, by Dill et al.
• Dangerous by Design, report from Smart Growth America
• Community Dashboard, BikeWalkKC

Many thanks to Michael Kelley for speaking to KCATA employees during Black History Month! 

About BikeWalkKC: The Mission of BikeWalkKC is to redefine our streets as places for people to build a culture of active living. Their vision is a community that is barrier free, has complete biking and walking access, and has a connected culture of active transportation and active lifestyles.

by Bridget
on February 23, 2021
in

As part of Black History Month, KCATA employees learned about the African American Heritage Trail of Kansas City, Mo., from City Planning and Development Director Jeffery Williams, Planner Brad Wolf, and Planner Lauren Manning.

The Trail is a “virtual” experience, so anyone can start exploring the City’s rich history from a phone or computer. Using the maps, people can also navigate the neighborhoods and historic sites in person. Go to AAHTKC.org to get started.

The African American Heritage Trail was developed through community input and is an open-ended project that will continue to grow as people contribute to the website.

“While we say ‘trail’… This was structured in a different way,” explained Williams. “A lot of this is about people being able to craft their own experience by deciding the types of sites they want to see.”

Wolf noted the virtual format allows people to explore sites that may no longer be around but are still significant to the City’s history.

“A lot of times, people don’t know they are significant until they are in danger of being lost,” Wolf said. “This virtual format also allows us to highlight what has been lost. There are a lot of sites that have been demolished, but we wanted to capture that history and plot it on the map.”

RideKC along the Trail 

Ready to make the virtual tour into an in-person tour? We have a couple RideKC routes to get you started. Remember that many of the buildings on the Trail are now gone.

18th and Vine 

18 Indiana travels to the Kansas City Jazz District, and the area is rich with history. While some of the locations on the trail are no longer standing, there are plenty of sites still standing tall. The Gem Theater was designed in the early 20th century as a silent movie for the city’s Black population. The Mutual Musician’s Foundation was home to the Local 627, then known as the "Colored Musicians Union." As the union hall for Local 627, it served as a clearinghouse for gigs, a place to file grievances against unfair practices by band leaders or agents, and most famously as a gathering place for member musicians. While there are more than 20 noted sites in and around the Jazz District, you can head further south on 18 Indiana for a few more points of interest. The route stops by the Spirit of Freedom Fountain and the Bruce R. Watkins Cultural Center along Brush Creek.  And at the southern end of the line, you’ll find Swope Park and Shelter #5. The shelter may not look much different than other limestone and wood trussed shelters in the park. However, until the mid-1950s, it was the only shelter available to Black people.

Steptoe and Westport

Through the Westport area, several notable sites are close to RideKC’s 35 35th Street route. Steptoe was a segregated Black, pre-Civil War neighborhood within Westport. The boundaries were generally Jefferson to Wornall, from 42nd to 44th streets. Schools and other institutions were created to serve the local African American population. St. James Baptist Church is one of two churches that organized for Steptoe residents. Penn School, which closed in 1955 and was destroyed by fire in 1963, was the first school west of the Mississippi River for the sole purpose of educating Black children. The school was built around the Civil War (recorded dates vary) located at 4237 Pennsylvania, at the end of the Westport extension of the trolley line.

While this church may look plain at first glance, it's a significant piece of Kansas City history. St. James Baptist Church is one of two churches that organized in the Steptoe area, the segregated neighborhood in the Westport area prior to the Civil War. 

More at AAHTKC.org

The Trail website goes beyond historic locations and people. A Calendar of Events includes online and live events to learn about Black History in Kansas City and beyond. People also have a chance to share their own photos, histories, and papers with the project. The website includes references and resources for those who want to look further.