Kansas City will undergo some public transportation upgrades to support hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup, according to KCUR.
Between June and July 2026, at least 215 more buses will be on Kansas City roads. The new program, called ConnectKC26, will reach underserved neighboring areas via new routes. These will connect attendees to stadiums, airports, attractions and concurrent fan festivals.
Local transit agencies will also increase the availability of public transit.
“Partners in the area have done a great job of providing services to people as they go about their daily lives, going to the grocery store, going to work, going to school, etc.,” KC2026 Chief Operating Officer Lindsey Douglas said, according to KCUR. “We know that for the people who come to the games, whether they are visitors or residents, we need to be able to meet those needs without disrupting their daily activities.”
Public transportation can help save some money on parking and gas, not to mention being more convenient during high-traffic events like the World Cup. Even for those who still insist on driving their own cars, more bus riders means less congestion on the roads and easier travel for everyone.
Buses are also much better polluting from an individual passenger’s perspective. By relying more on public transport, you can reduce traffic pollution, which exacerbates damaging weather patterns such as floods, droughts and storms. Last winter, for example, Kansas City was caught in a deadly polar vortex.
While the benefits of increased public transportation are clear, Kansas City’s plans for the World Cup do have some drawbacks. ConnectKC26 is a paid service and the price has not yet been determined. This may leave many fans out of luck due to budget constraints.
In addition, the Kansas City Regional Transportation Authority’s expansion of the event’s service has taken away $2 million of the budget earmarked for new regular buses. The increase in public transport options is only in place during the World Cup, but it is hoped it will spark an interest in bus travel among the wider public.
“If we could, and I believe we can, provide reliable, safe, seamless, enjoyable transportation, people would say, ‘You know what? I’d love to ride right to the airport. I’d love to ride right to downtown. I’d be more inclined to support, listen to, and talk about the development of public transit,'” said Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026.
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