Kansas City is the Biggest U.S. City to Offer Free Transit. Here's How It Works | NBCLX

While New York City was coming under fire last year for increasing police presence in the subway to deter fare evasion, Kansas City, Missouri, was implementing free public transit, becoming the biggest city in the U.S. to do so. NBCLX contributor Ludwig Hurtado explores how the overhaul has affected KC residents and what it could mean for other cities across the country.
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Kansas City is the Biggest U.S. City to Offer Free Transit. Here's How It Works | NBCLX
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[@benjaminfortney9655]

As a resident of Kansas City, my issue with the free fares is that in general it makes any complaints about service fall on deaf ears, and there are major issues with the reliability of service. It may be the largest city with free fares, but it is a very car centric city as Rosie Buethein mentioned, the assumption is that anyone with the means will just get a car. I'm very excited about the streetcar extension, and mayor Lucas's vision, but in general if I have to pay two dollars to ride a bus that comes reliably, I would gladly pay.

[@notmyfault29]

The biggest problem with the busses in KC is they used to run every 15 minutes, when they became free they only ran every hour, now they run every 45 minutes which is an improvement but you still often have long waits, especially if you have to change busses. Why does it have to be all or nothing? How about just cutting the fares in half so you could still afford to run more busses.

[@kungfujiujitsufliptrick4832]

Probably the cutest sweetest lady I've ever seen she's adorable!

[@geardo3635]

Interesting BUT this avoids a lot of reasons a city like New York City charges fares while someplace like Kansas City does not charge. Those details should become known.

[@seemcee]

You need to bring the buses, some maybe express buses, to the suburbs on an all day everyday basis. It is very inconvenient when you only have a few in the morning and a few "after work".

[@captainflannel8558]

trolleys too they could put busses n railess trolleys on the road almost instantly!!! provide jobs n transportation other than just city market to union station and be nice if hey provided late night 24 hour public trans keep the drunks off the road . but think they like the rail cuz kc is n this cool slick n modern phase brought n by out of staters investors trying to cash in !!!!!!!!but there killing the vibe of the city and making it less affordable ,which is only reason they are here and only thing push bout kc. its so affordable in kc well not if you keep charging prices based on other states economy . yeah its cheap because the biz owners are cheap n don't pay enough . alot of what they build doesn't match KC ITS LOCALS or ITS ECONOMY

[@SilentSpades]

Maybe don't live in a place where it costs double to provide bus service? Move to the urban core.

[@benb995]

yes!

[@kennethrembert7925]

But what about New York City where I live?

[@JamminJim19]

The Mayor is lying about the busses being safe. I was a supervisor for the security team and everyday we averaged a call per hour of someone on drugs, being violent or refusing to get off busses.
Bring back the fares

[@sitdowndogbreath]

Bring back your mother

[@depholade]

Ah yes a single trolly that barely goes anywhere. So innovative

[@localfocalkc]

By 2025 it'll have five miles of rail in the most dense area of Kansas City Missouri.

[@stephenpainter4491]

It's not free. All the state taxpayers are paying for it. Whether we use it or not.

[@Smellanie4121]

It’s less expensive than buying a car to get anywhere in the US. It’s worth it to invest in public transportation and new infrastructure.

[@yazanmowed]

And at the same time, the areas that most benefit from transit produce the most taxes for the city and subsidize the suburbs.

[@SilentSpades]

You pay for the roads and use them for free, why does it matter if you pay for the bus to be fare free?