Johnson County riders can board any RideJoCo or RideKC bus for free on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
All fixed-route buses and paratransit services will be fare-free for the entire day, according to a Johnson County government announcement. The county said the free rides will help residents reach polling locations and other destinations on Election Day. Microtransit trips will be free only for rides to and from polling locations within the microtransit service area.
Regional partnership
Johnson County Transit, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) and the Unified Government of Wyandotte County are partnering on the effort. RideKC announced that its IRIS service will provide free trips to and from polling locations. Freedom On-Demand will also offer free polling-place trips for eligible riders.
As Fox 4 reported, the free transit effort spans both sides of the state line.
How to ride
For fixed-route buses, riders just board. No special pass is needed.
For microtransit, riders request on-demand, curb-to-curb trips through the RideJoCo app or by calling 913-362-3500, option 3. The service operates Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m., according to Johnson County's microtransit page. Tuesday, Nov. 3 falls within that schedule.
Normal microtransit fares run $5 for the first five miles and $2 for each additional mile. Those fares will be waived for polling-place trips on Election Day.
Unlike a fixed bus route, microtransit does not follow a set schedule. Riders request a pickup, and the service may match passengers traveling in the same general direction.
RideJoCo is the name Johnson County Transit is gradually introducing for county-operated services, adopted as part of a strategic plan approved by the Board of County Commissioners. The service remains part of the regional RideKC family.
For route and schedule questions, riders can call 913-362-3500, Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
