Jan. 4: RideKC Reduces Bus Routes Due to COVID-19 Impact

New Schedules for 27, 28, 63, 75, 229 and 238 

SCHEDULES
27 27th Street: Weekdays - Saturdays - Sundays
28 Blue Ridge: Weekdays - Saturdays - Map 
63 63rd Street: Weekdays
75 75th Street: Weekdays - Saturdays - Sundays
229 KCI-Boardwalk: Weekdays
238 Meadowbrook: Weekdays

RideKC will temporarily roll back some RideKC transit service starting Monday, Jan. 4, due to the staffing shortages among our operator workforce and increasing community spread of COVID-19. RideKC will modify six routes to reduce weekday service to operating with Saturday schedules. RideKC transit should be used for essential trips only, effective Nov. 18.

On most of these routes, additional early morning trips will be added to the Saturday schedule so that the route will begin at approximately the same time as the current weekday schedule. This will preserve access to essential jobs on these routes. Schedules will be posted in the Rider Bulletin section of RideKC.org the week of Dec. 21. Affected routes are:

• 27 27th Street
• 28 Blue Ridge
• 63 63rd Street
• 75 75th Street
• 229 KCI-Boardwalk
• 238 Meadowbrook

27 27th Street: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. No additional trips will be added.

28 Blue Ridge: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. Additional northbound trips will be added at approximately 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. An additional southbound trip will be added at approximately 5:50 a.m. 28 Blue Ridge will also change its downtown route; additional details coming soon.

63 63rd Street: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. Additional westbound trips will be added at approximately 5:45 a.m. (from 63rd & Prospect), 6:30 a.m., and 7:30 a.m. Additional eastbound trips will be added at approximately 6:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m.

75 75th Street: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. Additional westbound trips will be added at approximately 5:05 a.m. and 6:05 a.m. An additional eastbound trip will be added at approximately 5:20 a.m.

229 KCI-Boardwalk: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. An additional southbound trip will be added at approximately 5:20 a.m. An additional northbound trip will be added at approximately 4:50 a.m. (express to KCI).

238 Meadowbrook: Weekday service will operate with Saturday schedule. An additional southbound trip will be added at approximately 6:00 a.m. No additional northbound trips will be added.

The following routes were discontinued in November and December: 15 Truman Road, 23 23rd Street, 29 Blue Ridge Limited, 51 Ward Parkway, 55 Universities-Crossroads, 233 Vivion-Antioch, 234 Boardwalk-Antioch, 297 Tiffany Springs Flex, 340 TMC-Lakewood, 535 Liberty-Shoal Creek Express, 570 Blue Springs Express, and 571 71 Highway Express. The 529 KCI Express Limited schedule was revised Monday, Nov. 23.

These changes are designed to retain access to jobs, access to education, access to healthcare and equitable access for low-income residents who need it most.

Other routes will maintain their current schedule at this time.  However, if regional impacts of COVID or staffing levels get worse, additional changes may be necessary in the future.

Stay Informed with RideKC Notify and Transit App 

Transit: RideKC’s official app Transit is available in the Google Play store and Apple’s App Store. Use Transit to plan a trip and track your bus. Transit will also show how crowded a bus is, to help you decide when to travel.

RideKC Notify: Sign up for RideKC Notify to receive a text, email or voice message about changes affecting your route. Click to learn more. 

Text "ridekc" to 816.685.8541 or visit ridekc.alertmedia.com/public and fill out the form to select your notification preferences.

Text your route codes to 816.685.8541 to subscribe to a specific route. Route codes are available at the link above.  Most route codes are "ridekc" plus the route number, for example "ridekc24" or "ridekc401." For services without a route number, use mmax, tmax, pmax, freedom, streetcar, bike.

Essential Trips Only 

Consistent with the Safer At Home orders and recommendations issued by area counties and municipalities, KCATA recommends transit riders only make essential trips, such as:

• Rides for groceries
• Trips for physical and mental health needs such as appointments and to pick up prescriptions
• Trips for essential jobs including hospital/medical, grocery/food service, and essential production

RideKC COVID guidelines  

See more about the current status of transit at RideKC.org/bulletins/covid

Face coverings are required for riders and bus operators.

Fares are suspended on all bus and paratransit services other than 199 Micro Transit and 499 Micro Transit.

Social distancing is required on buses.

Riders should board and exit buses at the back door unless they have a disability that requires the ramp or kneeling feature, available at the front of the bus.

For further information, contact the Regional Call Center at 816-221-0660, weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.