Draft RideKC Bus System Redesign Announced

The RideKC Next project released a Draft Network plan and launched a public review process earlier this month.

According to the RideKC website that announces the changes, the new Draft Network will offer the same amount of bus service, but reconfigured onto a high-frequency grid to "connect more people to more opportunity."

According to statistics cited on the same page, the RideKC Draft Network will bring 19 percent more people with a half-mile of a frequent bus route, defined as routes with headways of 15 minutes or better on weekdays and Saturdays, and 20 minutes on Sundays. "In an hour or less, the average KCMO resident could reach 7% more jobs on weekdays, and 22% more jobs on Saturdays on transit," according to the website.

According to the website, summarizes the Draft Network thusly:

The goal of the revised plan is to provide a simpler, easier and more efficient network that connects more people to opportunity. The proposed restructuring seeks to balance ridership and coverage considerations, while accurately reflecting the values of communities in Kansas City. This includes establishing a frequent grid in the core of the transit network, while also providing flexible services that cover larger areas and provide access to the system.

The public meetings for the Draft Network launched earlier this month but are continuing on Zoom or by phone into December. The city hired Jarrett Walker and Associates to design the Draft Network. Jarrett Walker tweeted news about the Draft Network release earlier this month.