Elizabeth Orosco
Managing Editor

Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas and Kansas City Area Transportation Authority CEO Robbie Makinen announced that the Prospect MAX will remain fare-free permanently. 

The City Council is currently working out the nuts and bolts of a completely fare-free transit system citywide in this year’s proposed city budget. 

The Prospect MAX route, launched Monday, Dec. 9, 2019, has provided 270,000 rides in its first 90 days. 

“Our new Prospect MAX line has proven that eliminating bus fares does increase ridership, and thus, mobility for Kansas City residents,” said Mayor Lucas. “I’m proud that – with Mr. Makinen’s leadership – we are able to keep this heavily-trafficked bus line fare-free for all Kansas City riders. This is a positive step forward in our continued work on our Zero Fare Transit initiative.”

The route cuts east-west through downtown along 12th Street and runs north-south from 12th Street down to 75th Street. 

The Prospect MAX route provides riders more frequent service, a smart kiosk that shows real-time bus arrival and schedule, level boarding platforms, free wifi, and conductive concrete, which melts snow and ice from the sidewalks and platforms. 

“This is a premiere BRT line that we’ve been planning for years to enhance one of our busiest routes,” said Makinen in a recent release. “We’ve put a lot of high-tech amenities along the corridor and we want customers to enjoy all the upgrades to this important route for the city’s Eastside.”