Severe 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 Transit app.

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 to 12th and Pennsylvania, go south on Pennsylvania, and lay over at 13th and Pennsylvania. Eastbound buses from layover will go south on Pennsylvania, east on 14th, north on Broadway, east on 12th, 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, south on Pennsylvania, east on 11th Street, south on Broadway, and east on 12th 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 Valley Road.

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.

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 property owners.

• Antioch Crossing Park & Ride, Kansas City, Mo
• Gregory & Wornall, Kansas City, Mo
• 75th & Prospect Transit Center at Alphapointe, Kansas City, Mo
• Mission Transit Center, Mission, Ks
• Oak Park Mall, Overland Park, Ks

Inclement Weather Advisory for Paratransit and Microtransit Services

RideKC Freedom, RideKC Freedom on Demand, RideKC Iris, and RideKC Micro Transit services may experience delays or suspensions during severe winter weather.

Service Impacts

• Delays and suspensions may occur when roads become unsafe or snowfall exceeds 3 inches.
• In extreme conditions, service may be limited to main roads and critical areas only.
• Service changes will be communicated through the RideKC website, social media, and the RideKC app.

Path of Travel Requirements

• Customers must ensure all paths to and from the vehicle are cleared of snow and ice.
• Drivers cannot assist with snow or ice clearing.
• Service may be refused if customers cannot safely access the vehicle.

Notifications and Updates

• Check the RideKC website, social media channels, or app for real-time updates.
• Phone lines may be busy during severe weather; online tools may provide faster updates.

Safety First

• Allow extra travel time during inclement weather.
• 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.

Park Your Car On Ozone Alert Days

Riding the bus is not only a great way to get around, it’s also good for Kansas City’s air quality. An Ozone Alert is issued when unhealthy amounts of ozone are produced. Ozone is created when emissions from cars and other sources react in heat and sunlight. During the months June through September, you can do your part to reduce ground-level ozone by parking your car and riding the bus instead. When the daily SkyCast predicts a “Red” or “Orange” Ozone Alert for the next day, bus fare will only be $.75 on RideKC, on all routes except 510 from JCCC to University of Kansas-Lawrence.

To find out the SkyCast:

• Call 816-701-8287
• Visit http://www.marc.org
• Watch local TV weathercasts
• Read The Kansas City Star weather page

Don’t Wait for an Ozone Alert Day To Plan Your Trip

Call 816-221-0660 weekdays from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Ozone pollution can affect your health by:

• Irritating the eyes, nose and throat
• Causing chest pain, coughing, nausea and headaches
• Making breathing more difficult and triggering asthma attacks
• Permanently damaging lungs

Children, senior citizens and people with asthma or other respiratory diseases are at a higher risk from ozone exposure, especially when they are active outdoors.