New RideKC Pilot Program Offers Expanded Transit Options for Seniors, Riders with Disabilities

A new pilot program broadening the transportation options for seniors and anyone with a disability starts this week in Johnson County, KS, and eastern Jackson County, MO.       

The Kansas Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) is launching a regional taxi voucher program open to anyone 65 and over as well as anyone with a disability in Johnson County and eastern Jackson County, including Independence, Raytown and Sugar Creek.

Using 10/10 Taxi, eligible riders can go anywhere they want in the region up to 10 miles for $5 each way. Riders have to pay the cost of the fare after the first 10 miles. The service is available any day at any time, including weekends and holidays. Ten one-way trips are allowed each month.

“We’re thinking outside the box and looking for new and innovative ways to offer public transportation to our residents,” said Robbie Makinen, KCATA’s president and chief executive officer. “We want to provide more flexibility to get around while measuring whether there is a more cost-effective way to provide public transportation.”

Makinen said the voucher program is a new innovation that will give people more access to public transportation.

“We are now talking about a 21st century model of transportation that will unlock doors for our seniors and our riders with disabilities,” Steve Klika, chairman of the KCATA Board of Commissioners. “We are very excited about providing this new pilot service for parts of our metro area."