Starting Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, Wyandotte County residents will have more transportation options. The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) is expanding its RideKC On-Demand service. This expansion includes a Northeast Microtransit Zone.
The new zone stretches from the Fairfax area to I-70 between the Kansas River and North 43rd Street. It links with existing Midtown and Legends zones. According to the UG, the expansion will improve access to jobs, healthcare, retail, and community services.
“We are thrilled to launch the RideKC On-Demand Northeast Microtransit Zone as a vital transportation service for our community,” said Transportation Director Desiray Bush. “Transportation has long been a significant barrier in our community, and with the introduction of our ride-share program, we are working to address this issue with convenient, reliable and accessible service to complement our traditional bus service.”
The Northeast Zone will connect riders to major employers such as Empire Candle, General Motors, and Phoenix Metals. It will also provide access to grocery stores including The Merc, Sun Fresh, and Save-A-Lot. Furthermore, it will connect riders to schools and services. These include Donnelly College, Bishop Ward, Wyandotte High School, Shalom House, Catholic Charities, and Mount Carmel.
What is Microtransit?
Microtransit is an on-demand, shared ride service. It works like Uber or Lyft. However, it is designed to fill gaps left by fixed-route bus systems. Riders can schedule curb-to-curb trips through the IRIS Mobile App. They can also use the IRIS Booking Website or call the UG’s Transit Dispatch Center at (913) 573-8531.
Service hours run Monday through Friday, 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., and weekends from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Rides cost $3 per person, per trip. You can pay through the app. Alternatively, pay with exact cash to the driver. The IRIS platform uses dynamic routing. It picks up and drops off passengers within one-quarter mile of their request. This helps connect residents with transfer hubs and destinations across the metro.
The UG encourages residents to download the IRIS app. They can learn how to book rides through a short instructional video available on the UG website and below:
