The Metro Helps People Save Thousands A Year - How-To-Ride Clinics Begin In April

(Kansas City, Mo. – April 4, 2012) With high gas prices, more and more people are riding public transportation and saving hundreds of dollars a month. The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) will hold several How-to-Ride Clinics to help people find out just how easy and economical it is to ride The Metro.

In a few easy steps, people will learn how to find their route, read a schedule, pay the right fare, and where to get off. In 15 minutes, they will be ready to start saving and ride The Metro like a pro. New riders will get one-ride tickets to try out The Metro for their commute.

How-to-Ride Clinics will take place on the following days, locations and times:

• First Friday at Crossroads, 125 Southwest Blvd., Friday, April 6, 5-8 p.m.
• UMKC, Student Union, Wednesday, April 11, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Waldo, 75th & Wornall, Saturday, April 21, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Downtown, Ilus Davis Park, Wednesday, May 2, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• City Market, 3rd & Grand, Saturday, May 5, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.
• Blue Ridge Crossing, 4240 Blue Ridge Boulevard, Saturday, May 19, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

“Switching from driving to riding public transportation for even a few of their trips is a proven way for individuals to cut monthly and yearly transportation costs,” Director of Marketing Cindy Baker said.

Ridership on The Metro was up 5.7% in 2011 over 2010. In January and February of 2012, ridership was up nearly 20% over the same period in 2011.

According to the American Public Transportation Association, riding public transportation saves individuals, on average, $10,120 annually and $825 per month based on the March 26, 2012 average national gas price ($3.90 per gallon-reported by AAA) and the national unreserved monthly parking rate.

Can’t make it to a clinic? An online Starter Kit for new riders is available at http://www.kcata.org.

Metro representatives will also be able to provide information about route changes that are being phased in this year. Metro2012 improvements are the result of a comprehensive study and more than 700 customer comments. Changes will result in more efficient service that is more convenient and direct without increasing the budget.