U.S. DOT Invests $7.4 Million in Rapid Bus Service and Replacement Vehicles for the Kansas City Metropolitan Area

Kansas City area commuters will benefit from improved bus service thanks to a $7.4 million grant for a bus rapid transit (BRT) system and replacements buses from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), U.S. Secretary of Transportation Norman Y. Mineta announced today.  This federal investment will increase mobility and support the economy for residents in the Missouri counties of Jackson, Cass, Platte, Clay and Ray, and the Kansas counties of Wyandotte, Leavenworth and Johnson.

“Bus rapid transit gives communities an affordable transit alternative that provides swift, more user-friendly public transportation,” said Secretary Mineta.  “The Bush Administration has invested in this new system, which connects workers to jobs, shoppers to stores, and Kansas City area residents to the rapidly expanding economy.”

The grant awarded to the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) will be applied towards the construction of the 9.7-mile BRT system in downtown Kansas City and the purchase of 33 replacement buses for the current bus system.  BRT is a system of enhanced bus service. Components may include the use of express lanes and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) that aid in increased speeds, decreased travel times, and more user-friendly service. The Kansas City BRT project will operate on existing streets and include ITS enhancements such as signal priority at intersections and real time notification of bus arrivals.

“With these funds, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) will be able to build a more modern and efficient public transportation system.  This system will help fight traffic congestion while also helping the environment, by taking more cars off the road," said U.S. Senator Kit Bond.  “By investing in transportation, we are investing in Missouri's economic future.  This is another example of the strong commitment of Secretary Mineta and the Bush Administration in meeting the ongoing transportation needs of the Kansas City area.”

The funds announced today are part of the FTA’s capital investment program that provides financial assistance for transit agencies to purchase new vehicles and construct new facilities.  Funds are allocated on a discretionary basis.