Kansas City, Missouri, will make bus rides free next year, becoming the first major metropolis in the U.S. to provide no-fare public transit.
The move is an attempt to spur more economic activity by subsidizing mobility for residents. City officials hope that the expense—roughly $9 million annually—will recoup at least that much through a more vibrant economy.
Several smaller U.S. cities including Vail, Colorado and Chapel Hill, North Carolina offer free bus service. Typically, the result has been strong ridership growth.
Skeptics in Kansas City question whether bus service is convenient enough to spur the kind of growth produced by the city’s 2.2-mile downtown streetcar line. That service has spurred more than a $2 billion property value increase since opening in 2015. Ridership has grown steadily, and city residents recently voted to double the line’s length.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Oct 11, 2021
New program to promote mass timber construction launched in Boston
City’s planning and development agency to award grants for projects in early-stage planning.
Codes and Standards | Oct 6, 2021
Intl. Code Council publishes EV and building codes resource
Assists communities in setting policies for electric vehicle charging requirements.
Codes and Standards | Oct 5, 2021
Feds award $1 billion to renovate health centers
Funds will modernize existing infrastructure and cover other COVID-19-related capital needs.
Codes and Standards | Oct 4, 2021
Boston City Council approves mandate for major emissions cuts for large buildings
Applies to buildings 20,000 sf or larger—about 4% of city’s buildings.
Codes and Standards | Oct 4, 2021
HPD Collaborative and Green Seal to align standards
Will result in expanded options for manufacturers to enhance sustainability reporting and certifications.
Codes and Standards | Sep 30, 2021
U.S. has a deficit of 5 million homes
Builders unable to keep pace with demand.
Codes and Standards | Sep 29, 2021
Mass Timber group study will compare structural round timber to glulam products and steel
Will compare costs, capabilities, and carbon impacts of structural materials.
Codes and Standards | Sep 28, 2021
Massachusetts creates Commission on Clean Heat
First-of-its kind body to set targets for buildings to reduce emissions from heating fuels.
Codes and Standards | Sep 27, 2021
Commercial real estate industry faces SEC climate disclosure regulations
Risks associated with climate change would have to be revealed.
Codes and Standards | Sep 22, 2021
Group proposes Carbon Use Intensity metric for new buildings
Plan would track embedded carbon on projects.