KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – A $22 million deficit is the staggering shortfall Kansas City’s transit system faces following the City Council’s latest budget vote. The record breaking budget approval demonstrates City Council’s disregard for hundreds of testimonies, emails, and petitions.
“In adopting this budget, KCMO City Council chose to ignore the voices of bus riders,” Sunrise KC posted on their Instagram account following the announcement of the budget’s approval.
The budget approval highlights a conflicting message from a governing body who can approve and fund a transformative alternative to policing like REACH, while simultaneously abandoning the everyday needs of Kansas Citians.
“With this budget, KCMO City Council shows complete apathy for the role that young people and bus riders have in shaping our City’s priorities in this budgeting process,” Sunrise posted on Instagram.
The anticipated $22 million budget deficit will likely lead to cuts in bus services as early as January 2025. As a result, community members and bus riders will lose access to jobs, healthcare, groceries, and other lifelines of a thriving community.
“They don’t have to face the consequences of their inaction, but we do,” Sunrise’s post continued. “We will be the ones facing lowered access to jobs, healthcare and groceries; the ones subjected to longer wait times.”
As previously reported by The Defender, City Council’s decision to neglect the needs of bus riders stems from a lack of trust between KCATA based on a 2022 lawsuit that alleged Chief Operating Officer Jameson Auten and former President and Chief Executive Officer Robbie Makinen of frivolously spending KCATA’s reserved funds. Several members of Sunrise Movement KC urged the City Council to use their power to audit the transit agency. Because of the lack of trust between the city’s transit agency and City Council, many Kansas Citians now stand to lose vital connections to the community come 2025.
Sunrise Movement KC is poised to continue their efforts in advocating for Better Buses. The organization is planning a “Take Back Earth Day” rally on Saturday, April 20th at 1 pm at Mill Creek.
“The future is scary and uncertain. But we have hope.” Sunrise posted on instagram on April 2 following the Jackson special elections. “We’re demanding Better Buses and a livable future for all people.”
