Fare-free policy brought new riders, increased community equity in KC

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Every campaign season, politicians debate the potential benefits and drawbacks of making public transit free. New research from the University of Kansas has found that when Kansas City made its bus service fare-free in 2020, it not only attracted new riders but also increased overall bus use for many. These changes have the potential to enhance mobility and quality of life, particularly for people from historically marginalized communities. . . .

“Kansas City wanted to sustain the fare-free policy for good, which set them apart,” said Joel Mendez, assistant professor of public affairs & administration at KU and study author. “At that time, Kansas City was the largest metro area in the world to implement fare-free transit. This study looks at what effects this kind of policy can have on mobility.”

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Fare-free policy brought new riders, increased community equity in KC