Changes to Independence Public Transit Routes
INDEPENDENCE, Mo. - Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, the City of Independence will implement the IRIS rideshare program to replace most fixed bus route lines in the city. It will keep the 24 Route bus line into downtown Kansas City and RideKC Freedom paratransit.
In place of most of the fixed-route service, the city will offer IRIS On-Demand transit Monday through Saturday 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. IRIS rides will cost $5 per person within the city of Independence, and will drop off riders within a 1/4 mile of their final destination. Transit officials with KCATA say those drop-off points can be easily adjusted based on user feedback.
RideKC Freedom in Independence will still be available. RideKC Freedom is a door-to-door service, and will cost $3 one way within the City of Independence. If the rides are within 3/4 of a mile of the 24 Route bus service, the RideKC Freedom rides are free. All rides with RideKC Freedom within an ADA route are free. The City of Independence is unique in having a non-ADA zone.
RideKC Freedom on Demand is also available for customers who have gone through the eligibility process - but it can take riders across the metro for $5 for first five miles, and $2 for each additional mile. Freedom on Demand drivers are all RideKC employees.
Six routes operated by Transdev (a.k.a., First Transit) will stop operating on Dec. 31, 2024. More details can be found here. The city eliminated those RideKC routes due to budget limitations. To be financially feasible, the average bus fare would be as much as $30 a ride.
The City of Independence held two meetings about this change for customers and the general public to learn more about these changes and to provide input. Notifications about these changes have been made on buses and through city communication channels.
The City of Independence has entered into a six month contract for this service with KCATA, and will continuously monitor the transition from fixed route lines to IRIS. It also welcomes citizen feedback. That can be provided via email to transit@indepmo.org or mailed to the Community Development Department, 111 E Maple, Independence, Missouri 64050.