(Kansas City, Mo. – Jan. 30, 2013) The Board of Commissioners of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) elected officers for 2013.
Jackson County, Mo., Commissioner Robbie Makinen was re-elected Chairman at the Jan. 23 board meeting. Makinen is Economic Development Coordinator for Jackson County and has served on the Board since 2007.
Steve Klika, commissioner representing Johnson County, Ks., will serve as Vice Chairman in 2013.
A.J. Dusek, commissioner representing Wyandotte County, Ks., will serve as Secretary.
Michael Short, representing Platte County, Mo., has been elected to serve as Treasurer.
“I’m pleased with the work of our Board over the past several years, and excited about the challenges that are on the horizon,” said Makinen. “Recently we have authorized the switch to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles, which will provide a considerable cost savings. The changes to Metro routes spurred by the multi-year Comprehensive Service Analysis are resulting in efficiencies and increased ridership. And we are looking forward to working with the City of Kansas City and Jackson County on their plans for improving transit in the region.”
KCATA is governed by a 10-member Board of Commissioners, five from Missouri and five from Kansas. Commissioners are limited to two consecutive four-year terms. Responsibility for the management, control and operation of the Authority and its properties is vested in the Board. The Board exercises its responsibility by adopting all general policies of the Authority, including the adoption of annual capital and operating budgets, the establishment of the goals of the Authority, and the selection of a General Manager. The Board may delegate certain duties and responsibilities to the General Manager for the management and operation of the Authority.
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority is the only public transportation agency serving the Greater Kansas City metropolitan region. Created in 1965 through special state legislative action in Missouri and Kansas, the ATA today operates a fleet of 300 Metro buses providing more than 54,000 customer trips per weekday.