Beginning Fall Semester 2011, all UMKC students will receive all-access Metro bus passes

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — As part of its growing commitment to sustainability, the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) has partnered with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) to provide an all-access transit pass to UMKC students. In a special referendum vote last month, UMKC students approved an increase in student fees that will provide every student with an annual pass for the city’s Metro and MAX bus services.

Beginning with the 2011 fall semester, UMKC students will be assessed a $14 fee per semester to fund the universal pass. The new student transportation fee will be presented to the University’s Board of Curators for final approval.

“We’re excited to be partnering with UMKC,” said KCATA General Manager Mark Huffer. “UMKC’s Volker and Hospital Hill campuses are in great locations and are served by several routes, including both Main Street MAX and Troost MAX. This partnership is a great step forward for transit in our community.”

This vote comes a year after an attempt to pass a similar measure resulted in a tie vote. The fee also will be used to fund a shuttle service for the UMKC Volker campus.

“We are pleased by the good voter turnout and the strong support of the students,” said Dennis Cesari, UMKC Assistant Vice Chancellor for Business Services. “We are looking forward to offering transportation choices to students while improving the environmental impact of the University.”

The university plans to demolish an existing parking garage this fall and will lose 800 spaces until the garage is rebuilt. MAX and Metro service will be an alternative for students who want to save money, improve the environment, and not worry about finding a parking space on campus. The Metro offers more than 70 routes and more than 30 park-and-rides throughout the Kansas City region.

“The Bus Pass Referendum enables UMKC students an alternative mode of transit not only to and from campus, but also gives students a chance to experience the city without relying on an automobile,” said Andy Clarke, a student in the UMKC Architecture, Urban Planning & Design program and a supporter of the referendum. “In the context of Kansas City as a whole, this will encourage people to use public transit who otherwise never would have. By participating and using public transit, students have an opportunity to experience the advantage of mobility without being stuck behind a wheel.”

Click here to learn more about UMKC’s sustainability initiatives and programs.

About the University of Missouri-Kansas City

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), one of four University of Missouri campuses, is a public university serving more than 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. UMKC engages with the community and economy based on a four-part mission: life and health sciences; visual and performing arts; urban issues and education; and a vibrant learning and campus life experience. For more information about UMKC, visit www.umkc.edu. You can also find us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and watch us on YouTube.