For the first time in more than 30 years, Johnson County Transit will be managed by the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority. Johnson County Government and KCATA officially approved the new partnership in December, to be effective Feb. 1.
KCATA will be responsible for the administration and management of all Johnson County Transit services. However, The JO’s routes, bus stops, drivers, vehicles and fares are not changing with this new agreement. The JO will still contract with First Transit, and the same First Transit operators will continue to drive the same JO buses and the same bus routes. Customers can still expect the same level of quality transit service for daily commutes.
This management consolidation will result in greater efficiencies and cost savings for Johnson County. The major component of the savings are personnel costs, which results directly from KCATA utilizing existing staff, in greater purchasing power for things such as fuel, and efficiencies in the areas of regional planning, communications and finance. This is a management consolidation only. Johnson County Government will maintain policy and budget decisions.
Although fares and passes will remain the same, there is a regional fare study taking place, separate from this effort, which could eventually affect fares throughout the region.
However, short- and long-term, the consolidation will result in integrated route planning, communications and customer services that meet the needs of current and future customers.
