Event focuses on how public transportation is funded

Dec 03, 2024
| Posted in
Transportation
Transit funding panelists

WAY TO GO hosted an informational panel event for the community.

From access to jobs, saving money, emissions reductions to economic and social mobility – public transportation has the potential to significantly impact the quality of life for residents and increase economic vitality in the region.

Meeting that potential requires public investment. That’s why Mid-America Regional Council’s WAY TO GO program recently hosted a panel event for community members to learn and ask questions about current public transportation funding. More than 70 people attended the presentation and discussion.

Presenters and panelists included Karen Clawson, MARC Climate and Air Quality programs manager; Lukas Yanni, MARC transportation planner; Tom Gerend, Kansas City Streetcar Authority executive director; Dick Jarrold, Kansas City Area Transportation Authority deputy CEO; Deasiray Bush, Unified Government Transit director; David Johnson, Regional Transit Alliance immediate past chair; and Josh Powers, Johnson County (Kansas) Transit Division director.
 

recap

Clawson opened the meeting with a presentation on current funding sources for the Kansas City region. She also gave background on the service area and providers.

The Kansas City region’s service area includes nine counties in Missouri and seven counties in Kansas. The providers include Kansas City Area Transit Authority, the KC Streetcar, Johnson County Transit, Unified Government Transit and the City of Independence.

Transportation funding, primarily made up of federal funds, covers capital, operations and planning for fixed-route transit for the KC Streetcar, bus rapid transit and local bus service; demand response transit for ADA paratransit, non-ADA paratransit and microtransit; vanpool subsidies; fare programs; and travel training.

The presentation included an update on Smart Moves, the region’s 20-year plan for transit and mobility. Clawson said there will be community engagement opportunities as public input is sought on ways to serve employers and employees, and create strong partnerships.

Yanni presented highlights of the 2024 Peer Regions Transit Report. He said the 61% support for public transit shows there is an appetite for regional support and investment.

Learn more about Smart Moves Learn more about the Peer Regions Transit Report

View slides

Transit funding 101 presentation
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