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Kansas City is accelerating their plans to build a more robust regional transit network ahead of next year’s 2026 FIFA World Cup. With an estimated 650,000 visitors expected for the matches, KC 2026, the group responsible for planning the event, is considering both transportation needs during the event but also after. Plans so far include leasing 200 buses, forming a regional transportation task force with key stakeholders across Kansas and Missouri, and linking existing services like KCATA and the KC Streetcar. KC 2026 CEO Pam Kramer emphasized the event’s potential to showcase a faster, more reliable transit system, slashing travel times and showing visitors and area residents alike that public transit is a viable option for those needing to commute for work, school, or personal reasons.
Current limitations continue to pose a challenge for event planners. KCATA is operating under a funding cliff, preventing the hiring of drivers and purchase of vehicles for expanded service. Agency leaders are pushing for federal contributions, including support from Senator Jerry Moran’s renewed Transportation Assistance Act and $400 million in transit funding requested by Representatives Emmanuel Cleaver II of Missouri and Sharice Davids of Kansas. KCATA is planning a summit for later this year to focus on what needs to change for public transit to be more accessible and desirable, both during the World Cup and after it.
Local reporting available here: Ahead of World Cup, Kansas City looks to build transit network | KCUR – Kansas City news and NPR