KCATA sets records for bus ridership today

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority estimated that it provided nearly 200,000 rides on free shuttles and regular routes today, shattering previous ridership records.

A quarter of the region’s population was estimated to have attended the Kansas City Royals World Series victory celebration today in downtown Kansas City, Mo.

All of KCATA’s 256 buses were dedicated to the shuttle service, supplemented by 125 school buses and 40 Johnson County buses.

“This was a special day for our Kansas City Royals and our entire region,” said Joe Reardon, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. “Even with crowded stops and long rides, we appreciated that people kept a positive attitude. Everyone was delivered safely on a history making day for our city.”

KCATA worked with Kansas City, Mo., police to ensure that people remained safe as they moved into and out of the downtown area. Shuttle rides were completed by 6 p.m.