RideKC: Bridj Expands Service to the River Market

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) announced today that its new RideKC: Bridj microtransit service will expand service starting on May 2, 2016. Residents in downtown Kansas City, Mo., and River Market will be able to travel to jobs near KU Medical Center, Hospital Hill, Union Station, and West 39th Street.

RideKC: Bridj currently brings workers to downtown Kansas City, Hospital Hill, University of Kansas Medical Center, from Westwood, Rosedale, Roeland Park and West 39th Street, along with the 18th and Vine Jazz District and nearby neighborhoods. KCATA is expanding the RideKC: Bridj service in the River Market and downtown in response to the number of trip requests made through the Bridj app. Since starting service on March 7, more than 2,300 trips have been searched. The additional service coming on line on May 2 was developed in response to more than 100 trip requests for service from downtown to Hospital Hill and University of Kansas Medical Center.

“RideKC: Bridj is allowing us to provide a nimble transit service with a rich technology backbone,” said Robbie Makinen, President and CEO of KCATA. “The ability to target this new transit option is a powerful tool providing vital information during this pilot phase.”

The on-demand transit service is available for morning and afternoon rush hour trips, Monday through Friday, from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. The first 10 rides on Bridj are free and can be redeemed by the rider by downloading the app and using the code KCBRIDJ. After the first 10 rides, trips cost an introductory rate of $1.50 -- the same as the local regional bus fare.

Customers can book trips for the new service areas now in the Bridj app.