Severe Weather

Snow, Ice and Winter Weather 

When winter weather hits, safety is our no. 1 concern. Buses may experience delays or need to use alternate routes during severe weather. RideKC Freedom paratransit service may also be affected by winter weather. Check this website or call 816-221-0660 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the latest information about how conditions are impacting transit.

Tune into local news broadcasts for announcements of service delays. Track your bus on the app Transit.

Sign up for RideKC Notify to get service notifications from RideKC via text, or email.

Find current information on social media or in the passenger bulletin section of our website.

Social media

Kansas City region: Twitter @RideKCTransit - Facebook 
Johnson County, Kan.: Twitter @jocotransit - Facebook 
Kansas City, Kan.: Twitter @UGTransit - Facebook 
Kansas City Streetcar: Twitter @kcstreetcar - Facebook

Travel Tips

• Use caution getting on and off buses, and walking to the stop. In winter, thawing and refreezing may occur; even if pavement looks clear, it may be icy.
• Dress for the weather.
• Carry a cellphone.

Snow Reroute Plans

Each RideKC transit agency in the Kansas City area has its own snow plan whenever wintry conditions require rerouting normal service.

KCATA: See below (For Paratransit snow plan, see here.)
 

The reroutes listed below are common problem spots during inclement weather. Make sure you are familiar with them before severe weather hits. These routes may have to be rerouted. Conditions may make additional reroutes and or delays necessary. RideKC will communicate this information through social media, local news media, ridekc.org, and RideKC notify. RideKC Freedom service may also be affected by winter weather.

Routes affected by Snow Plan

Check the list to see if your route is part of the Snow Reroute Plan. 

Troost MAX: Northbound buses will travel the regular route to Bannister Road and Grandview Exit, and continue west on Bannister Road to resume the regular route. southbound buses will travel the regular route to 95th Terrace and Bannister Road, and continue east on Bannister Road to resume the regular route.

9 9th Street: Westbound buses will travel the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 12th and Bennington, go south on Bennington, east on Truman, and north on Ewing to resume the regular route.

11 Northeast-Westside: Westbound routes will travel the regular route to 11th and Broadway, go south on Broadway, and west on Southwest Boulevard to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to Southwest Boulevard and Summit, continue east on Southwest Boulevard, go north on Broadway, and east on 12th to resume the regular route.

12 12th Street: Westbound buses will travel the regular route to 10th and Jefferson, go east on 10th, and south on Pennsylvania to 11th Street to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route.

23 23rd Street: Westbound buses will travel the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 23rd and Blue Valley Road, and go south on Blue Vallet Road.

24 Independence: Westbound buses will travel the regular route.Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 7th and Main, go north on Main, east on 6th, and north on Charlotte to resume the regular route.

28 Blue Ridge: Northbound buses will travel the regular route to 47th and blue Ridge Boulevard, and go west on 47th to resume the regular route. southbound buses will travel the regular route to 47th and Sterling, go east on 47th, and north on Blue Ridge Boulevard to resume the regular route.

31 31st Street: Westbound buses from layover will go northeast on Life Church Drive, north on Sterling, west on 40 Highway onto 31st street, go east on 31st Street, south on Main, and west on Linwood to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 40 Highway and Pittman road, and go east on 40 Highway to Sterling to resume the regular route. 

35 35th Street: Westbound buses will travel the regular route to 31st and Van Brunt, go east on 31st, southwest to the VA Hospital main entrance road, to the parking area, go the bus stop, north on Main Entrance Drive, west on Linwood, south on Jackson, west on 35th, south on Broadway, and east on 47th to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to 47th and Millcreek Parkway, go north on Millcreek Parkway, east on Armour, north on Jackson, east on Linwood to VA Hospital main entrance road, to the parking area, to the bus stop, north on Main Entrance Drive, east on Linwood, east on 31st, and north into the transit center.

47 Broadway: Westbound buses will travel the regular route to Sni-A-Bar and 51st, and continue west on 51st to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to Ararat Drive and Eastwood Trafficway, and continue east on Eastwood Trafficway to 51st to resume the regular route.

57 Wornall: Northbound buses will travel the regular route. Southbound buses will travel the regular route to 135th Street, go west to Stateline, and north on Stateline to resume the regular route.

75 75th Street: Westbound buses from Winchester and Longview Roadwill go north on Longview road, and north on Blue Ridge to resume the regular route. Eastbound buses will travel the regular route to Winchester and Longview Road. there is no service to 116th and Greenwood.

 

RideKC Flex Snow Pick-up & Drop-off Plan

During bad weather, road conditions may not allow RideKC Flex to reach certain parts of a service area. Travel may be restricted to major streets. Customers may need to go to a major street to catch RideKC Flex. During inclement weather, call the RideKC Flex office at 816-346-0346 to check travel restrictions. RideKC Flex will reflect system-wide delays with the same Inclement Weather Plan as RideKC Freedom and Micro Transit.

Areas where buses may not be able to travel:

298 NKC Flex 
Sunny Hills Apartments
French Quarters to Clark Ferguson

 

Park & Rides and Transit Centers

If you are a park & ride customer, please be aware that KCATA crews clear some of the park & rides while others are cleared by the property owners. KCATA crews will be out long before rush hour on heavy snow days to make sure the following park & rides are cleared as quickly as possible.

Antioch Crossing Park & Ride, Kansas City, Mo
Gregory & Wornall, Kansas City, Mo
75th & Wornall, Kansas City, Mo
75th & Prospect Transit Center at Alphapointe, Kansas City, Mo 
Boardwalk Square Transit Center, Kansas City, Mo
31st & Troost, Kansas City, Mo
3-Trails Transit Center, Kansas City, Mo
Independence Transit Center, Independence, Mo
Mission Transit Center, Mission, Ks
Heartland Community Church, Olathe, Ks
JCCC, Overland Park, Ks
KU Edwards Campus, Overland Park, Ks
137th & Antioch, Overland Park, Ks
Oak Park Mall, Overland Park, Ks
66th & Hilltop, Shawnee, Ks
Shawnee Station, Shawnee, Ks
Lawrence College and Career Center, Lawrence, Ks

 

 

Inclement Weather Advisory for Paratransit and Micro transit Services
RideKC Freedom (and SWIFT- JoCo only), RideKC Freedom on Demand, RideKC Iris, RideKC Micro Transit

During severe winter weather, RideKC prioritizes the safety of our passengers and operators. Please be aware of the following:

Service Impacts

• Delays and Suspensions: Paratransit and microtransit services may experience delays or suspensions when road conditions become unsafe. Service adjustments often begin when roads are ice-covered or when snowfall exceeds 3 inches.
• Reduced Service Areas: In extreme conditions, service may be limited to main roads and critical areas only.
• Notification Process: Service suspensions or delays will be communicated through the RideKC website, social media channels, and the RideKC app.

Path of Travel Requirements

• Clear Path Required: Customers must ensure that all paths of travel to and from the vehicle are cleared of snow and ice.
• Driver Assistance: Drivers are unable to assist with snow or ice clearing.
• Ride Refusal: Customers may be refused service if they cannot safely access the vehicle due to uncleared paths.

Notifications and Updates

• Stay Informed: Check the RideKC website, social media channels, or the RideKC app for real-time updates on service status.
• Phone Lines: Due to high call volumes during severe weather, phone lines may be busy. For faster assistance, use online tools for trip updates.

Safety First

• Allow Extra Time: Travel may take longer during inclement weather.
• Be Prepared: Dress warmly and ensure safe access to pickup and drop-off locations.

Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to provide safe and reliable service during challenging weather conditions.