KCATA Partnerships Drive Rider Safety

March 21, 2018
The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority continues its award-winning track record as one of the safest and most secure transit authorities in the country.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority continues its award-winning track record as one of the safest and most secure transit authorities in the country.

Its partnerships with local and regional law enforcement sets KCATA apart in the drive to be the best in the country. “The collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies on our behalf has been great to see,” President and CEO Robbie Makinen said. “When multiple law enforcement agencies come together for the sake of our bus operators, riders, and stakeholders it’s a win-win for everyone.”

In 2016, the American Public Transportation Association, APTA, honored the KCATA with two awards.

  • GOLD Award for Safety
  • GOLD Award for Security

In 2017, the American Public Transportation Association, APTA, awarded the KCATA two more awards.

  • Certificate of Merit for Safety
  • GOLD Award for Security

“The safety of our bus operators and riders is a top priority for the KCATA,” Makinen said. KCATA is proud to continue the work of protecting our bus operators and riders with unique partnerships involving the Kansas City Missouri Police Department and the Jackson County Sheriff.

On Tuesday, March 27, at 10:00 a.m. as Jackson County Sheriff Mike Sharp deputizes two KCPD officers assigned to the KCATA Transit Security Division. Meet veteran law enforcement officer and U.S. Army Aviation Hall of Fame inductee Chief Hugh Mills, who now heads up the KCATA Transit Security Division, and learn more about how deputizing the two full-time officers will further drive safety and security for everything we do.

“This lays the ground work for more collaboration between RideKC, KCPD, and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office as we continue enhancing regional transit,” said Makinen.