Advancing mobility through fare-free transit: Evidence from the Kansas City Metropolitan Area

What happens when a common barrier towards transit use is eliminated? How does this influence the ability to attract new users? The ability to heighten frequency of use of all users? How do impacts vary based on user characteristics? In this study, I explore these questions by focusing on the Kansas City metropolitan area where the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) implemented a fare-free policy for bus service in 2020. To assess this policy’s impact, I surveyed transit users to understand how their travel behavior changed since being able to use the bus for free. Findings show that removing fares attracted new riders and increased the frequency of use for many. These results suggest improvements in mobility and quality of life for transit users. This impact can be heightened for users who have historically suffered from limited mobility, highlighting the policy’s substantial equity benefits. Observed outcomes can both support the justification for the policy and shed light on the financial challenges associated with its implementation. • The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority implemented a fare-free policy for all bus and bus rapid transit service • New users belong to both groups that are a part transit’s established ridership base and groups that have traditionally been underrepresented among bus users • Riders are, on average, using the bus more frequently now than before fares were eliminated • The impact of this policy is heightened for some populations that have historically suffered from limited mobility • Increased system use triggered by the elimination of fares can both support and complicate the feasibility of implementing a fare-free policy.