New 18th Street bus route starts today

A new 18th Street bus route starts today. (RideKC graphic)

A new bus route for 18th Street begins today, according to RideKC and the Area Transportation Authority.

The new route starts at 18th and Quindaro and travels south on 18th, ending at 51st and Roe Avenue in Roeland Park. Stops along the way are planned at 18th and Parallel Parkway, 18th and Tauromee Avenue, 18th and Central Avenue, 18th and Kansas Avenue, and 18th and Ruby Avenue.

Called the 118 18th Street route, it started at 5:30 a.m. and runs until 7:30 p.m. Mondays through Fridays. Buses are scheduled every 60 minutes.

According to RideKC, the new route will improve access to shopping and jobs in Kansas City, Kansas.

The new 118 18th Street route will connect to the 101 State Ave., 102 Central Ave., 104 Argentine, 106 Quindaro – Amazon, 107th 7th Street Parallel, 402 Johnson – Quivira, 403 Antioch – Olathe, 405 Nall – Downtown, 435 JOCO Downtown Midday, and 519 Olathe Express routes.

Some of the destinations along the route include Fast Fred’s Market, Wilson’s Pizza, Donnelly College, Prescott Plaza including Ball’s Sun Fresh, Sav-A-Lot and Walmart Neighborhood Market in Argentine, and the Roeland Park Shopping Center, which includes Price Chopper, Aldi and Walmart.

The fare for the new 118 18th Street is $1.50, or 75 cents for those with a Reduced Farecard. A Day Pass is available for $3, and a 31-Day Pass is $50. Customers can pay with cash or use the free RideKC app to purchase their fares.

For more information, visit http://ridekc.org/bulletins/118-18th-street.