Questions & Answers - KCATA/JCT Management Consolidation

Posted on: Sep 22, 2014

9/22/2014 

Q. Why is this consolidation taking place? 
A. Consolidating some administrative/managerial functions will result in increased efficiencies and cost savings, including staffing, fuel and some other cost-sharing opportunities. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority already has 12 contracts with 10 communities, including Kansas City, Mo., and Kansas City, Ks.

Q. How will this consolidation impact my bus service?
A. Your bus service will not be affected. Routes and schedules will remain the same. This would be a management consolidation only.

More integrated planning will result in building a better regional transit system over time.

Q. Will my JO bus look different?
A. No. The JO will still contract with First Transit, and the same First Transit operators will continue to drive the same JO buses.

Q. Who will make decisions about The JO service?
A. Johnson County Government will continue to set budget, service levels and policy.

Q. Will fares change?
A. Fares will not change as a result of this consolidation. However, there is a regional fare study taking place, separate from this effort, which could eventually affect fares throughout the region.

Q. What are the benefits to Johnson County residents?
A. This management consolidation will result in significant savings for the County. The Board of County Commissioners will determine how that savings will be used.

Q. What are the benefits to KCATA?
A. KCATA will realize its founding vision of serving as a community transportation resource.

Q. Will this impact Special Edition and SWIFT?
A. No. Those services will run as they currently do. Johnson County will maintain contracts with the companies that are currently involved with running those programs.

Q. How will JCT employees be affected?
A. Personnel matters are confidential; however, KCATA and Johnson County are working cooperatively to provide priority placement for current employees.

Q. How can I give my opinion on this consolidation?
A. You may provide feedback several ways:

Q. When will this take effect?
​A. If approved, implementation could begin in early 2015.

Q. Will my JO 31-Day Pass still work? Will my Metro Pass work on the JO?
A. There will be no immediate change to fares and passes currently being used. People who wish to access both systems can purchase The JO 31-Day Standard Express Pass that is accepted on all four transit systems in the region for local service. The Metro pass is not accepted on The JO.

A regional fare study is underway that could affect the fare mechanisms offered in the future.

Q. What does KCATA being formed by a bi-state compact really mean?
A. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) was formed with the signing of a Bi-State compact created by the Missouri and Kansas legislatures on December 28, 1965. This agreement gives the KCATA responsibility for planning, construction, owning and operating passenger transportation systems and facilities within the seven-county Kansas City metropolitan area. These include the counties of Cass, Clay, Jackson and Platte in Missouri, and Johnson, Leavenworth and Wyandotte in Kansas. The ATA is governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners, five from the state of Kansas and five from the state of Missouri.

In recent years there has been a renewed effort by regional leaders to position KCATA to realize its original mission of managing regional transit service in a more unified, streamlined and efficient manner.

Q. Where do we get information about riding the bus?
A. There are four transit systems in the region. There are several ways to find out about riding the bus throughout the region.
The Metro’s Regional Call Center provides information on all of the regional systems, except for IndeBus. The Regional Call Center number is 816-221-0660. For IndeBus information, call 816-461-4287 (IBUS).

For online information log on to:
[url=http://www.kcata.org]http://www.kcata.org[/url] provides information on The Metro and UG Transit 
JO – [url=http://www.thejo.com]http://www.thejo.com[/url]
IndeBus – [url=http://www.indebusmo.com]http://www.indebusmo.com[/url]