RideKC Drives Education with the Donation of a Bus

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority invited attendees to join the Senior Leadership team as we donate a bus to the Kansas City Kansas Community College’s Entrepreneurship & Workforce Center.

“Empowering our leaders of tomorrow, today, provides them a foundation and step in the right direction,” said Robbie Makinen, President and CEO, KCATA. “This was a no brainer for us after they explained how the bus would be used, providing those in the Kansas City, Kansas and surrounding Communities hands-on training.”

The 2003 Gillig, 40-foot low floor model bus was originally put in service in May 2003. The bus has a rebuilt engine, a new differential, new brakes, and a new paint job.

“By driving collaboration between local and regional partners, we have the ability to make a difference in the region,” Makinen said. “Our mission is to connect people to opportunities and this is just one more way we are thinking outside the bus.”

“Kansas City Kansas Community College has created a simple innovation to help solve a serious problem, namely, a mobile classroom that reaches out into the neighborhoods to provide valuable job training,” said Mayor/CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County/Kansas City, Kansas, David Alvey. “It is exciting to see the staff of our Community College bring this idea forward, and encouraging that the KCATA has generously provided the bus for the classroom!”

“Collaboration is like a threefold cord…not easily broken,” Dr. Alicia Hooks, executive director, Entrepreneurship and Workforce center (EWC) of the Kansas City Kansas Community College. “For the greatest impact, we must collaborate with others. To say we want community development, is to say we must work together. We must be purposeful in our approach which mandates intentional partnerships so together we all win on purpose,” Dr. Hooks said.

The bus will be delivered on the morning of Wednesday, April 18.