In 2020, Kansas City made national headlines by becoming the first major U.S. city to make its public buses completely fare-free. It was a bold step toward equity, access, and climate responsibility—and it worked. Ridership grew. Families saved money. Workers, students, and seniors could get where they needed to go without a financial barrier.

Now, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is threatening to undo all that progress.

On August 15, 2025, KCUR reported that the city will dramatically reduce its contract with RideKC, cutting funding by nearly 45% and leaving no money to keep buses fare-free after January. If this goes forward, it would mean charging fares again and slashing service—even though many rely on the bus as their only reliable way to get to work, school, medical care, and grocery stores.

This is more than a budget issue. It’s about who gets to move freely in our city and who gets left behind.

Fare-free transit isn’t just about convenience—it’s about dignity. It keeps police off buses for fare enforcement. It helps low-income riders keep more of their paycheck. It connects people to opportunity without requiring car ownership. And for Kansas City, it’s been a point of civic pride and leadership.

We can’t afford to go backward.

We call on Mayor Quinton Lucas, the Kansas City Council, and the KCATA Board of Commissioners to:

• Restore full funding for RideKC service,
• Keep the Zero Fare Transit program fully intact, and
• Commit to fare-free transit as a permanent, public good.

Cities across the country are watching what happens next. Let’s show them that Kansas City doesn’t retreat when it leads.

Sign this petition to demand Kansas City buses stay free—for everyone, forever.