Kansas City, MO – With hours left before the deadline to place transit funding on the April ballot, Kansas City leaders are on the brink of forcing devastating cuts to the city’s public bus system—slashing service by 33% and putting union jobs at risk. But the people refuse to let that happen without a fight.
Last week, over 100 low-wage workers, bus riders and drivers came together to protest major cuts to bus routes and union jobs that are being considered by the city government. Bus riders and community members with Stand Up KC joined Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1287 members and Sunrise Movement KC outside of the Kansas City Area Transit Authority (KCATA) headquarters to protest a lack of funding from KCMO City Council.
“Our public transportation system is a lifeline for me and thousands of people like me in Kansas City. It’s how I get to work and earn a living,” said Ashley Ball, a low-wage worker and leader with Stand Up KC and the Missouri Workers Center.
Absent Kansas City Council approving increased funding, the local transit agency plans to weaken a public bus system on which thousands of Kansas Citians rely on.
“Having a fully funded transit system is so essential to our city. 60 percent of our riders depend upon public transportation to get to and from work, not to mention those that are trying to get to doctors’ appointments as well as the grocery stores,” said Nic Miller, President of the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) Local 1287.
“A reduction in service not only affects KCATA employees, union and non-union, it affects our entire community,”
Reverend Rodney Williams, Pastor of Swope Parkway United Christian Church and Tri-Chair of the MO Poor People’s Campaign, also spoke at the rally.
“Our city budget is a moral document that reveals the priorities of our elected leaders. Thousands upon thousands of people — poor and working people, and disproportionately the Black community — rely on the bus as an essential means of going about their daily lives. As Mayor Lucas, our City Council, and other city and county governments consider budget proposals, they must ensure full funding for our bus system!”
Yesterday, Sunrise Movement KC packed the Jackson Legislature meeting. Sunrise Movement KC has demanded for years that Kansas City leaders provide dedicated and sustainable funding to the public transit system. Despite those demands and the ballot deadline approaching, public transit funding was not discussed during yesterday’s meeting.
“While you bicker up there, there are thousands of Kansas Citians who are waiting for better buses now,” said Sunrise Movement KC leader Erica as it became increasingly clearer that bus funding was not on the agenda.
Several other members from Sunrise Movement KC followed suit and spoke up.
“Jackson County, the blood of the bus system is on your hands! In April, when bus cuts happen, Kansas City is going to ask who to blame, and we will tell them it’s you,” said Adin, another leader with Sunrise Movement KC.
Jackson County Legislature called on Jackson County Sherrifs to remove the crowd from the chambers. The protest continued on as members of Sunrise Movement KC chanted “do you job!” while waiting in the hallway to board elevators. One member with Sunrise Movement KC was removed from the elevators and arrested.
“Our oppressors use laws and processing [expletive] to make us feel like we don’t know what’s going on,” said one member of Sunrise Movement just outside City Hall.
As the crowd debriefed on the steps of City Hall, several other members spoke up about what happened just moments before.
“We took a risk to be here. The leaders planning this took a risk. It’s very rare to take up space like we did,” said one member reflecting on the arrest made.
Alexandria, a leader with Sunrise Movement KC who spoke at last week’s rally and yesterday’s demonstration proclaimed,
“They’re being paid to neglect us. But we’re going to keep showing up. They’re going to get tired of us.”
