Fare Reduced for Popular K-10 Connector Service

Kansas City Area Transportation Authority fares will be cut 50 cents on the popular K-10 Connector service running between Overland Park and Lawrence as part of an effort to bring the route in line with similar express services offered in other parts of the metro area.

Starting Oct. 3, riders will pay $3 for a one-way trip on the 710-K-10 route serving Johnson County Community College, the University of Kansas-Edwards Campus in Overland Park and the University of Kansas campus in Lawrence.

Also, the price of a 31-day pass will be reduced to $95 from $117.60 and the cost of a 10-ride pass will be cut to $27 from $31.50.

The fare will be cut on the premium transit service to match the price of similar routes on the Missouri side of the state line as part of an effort to create a regional and seamless transit network.

Started in 2007, the K-10 Connector has proven popular with students, staff and faculty at Johnson County Community College and the University of Kansas. It also has attracted riders commuting to Johnson County from Lawrence for work. The route has about 122,000 boardings a year.

The fare cut is one way RideKC can help make higher education more accessible by giving students a more affordable transportation option, said Steve Klika, chairman of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority.

“As college tuition gets increasingly expensive, the K-10 Connector offers an affordable way to get to class at the University of Kansas’ campuses in Lawrence and Overland Park as well as Johnson County Community College,” said Klika, also a member of the Johnson County Commission.

“The new lower fare will make a popular regional transit service an even more ideal way to travel, especially with our comfortable over-the-road coaches that offer a quiet and smooth trip. Students can grab a little extra sleep or have a little extra time to study.”

During the fall and spring semesters, the K-10 Connector runs Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 7:20 p.m. Rush-hour service in the morning and afternoon operates every half hour. Midday service runs hourly. Night service is available, operating hourly from 7:10 until 11:20 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The route includes stops at Johnson County Community College’s Carlsen Center, the University of Kansas-Edwards campus in Overland Park, two stops at the KU campus and one in east Lawrence.