The reimagining of a Johnson County public transit system that aligns high quality service with demand while increasing accessibility for users became a step closer to reality this week. After more than a year of study, discussion and public engagement, the Board of County Commissioners adopted the Johnson County Transit Strategic Plan.

The plan’s strategic goals are to:

• Prioritize high-demand areas with high-quality service that is frequent, attractive, feels safe and is easy to use.
• Improve transit access in Johnson County for people experiencing transportation barriers.
• Ensure service is efficient and sustainably funded.
• Seek partnerships for workforce access for economic growth and development.
• Support countywide and regional goals and programs.

“With a rapidly growing community, evolving travel patterns and uncertainty with funding at the Federal level, we must take a thoughtful approach to deliver a more efficient transit system for our residents,” said BOCC Chairman Mike Kelly. “This strategic plan provides a 25-year roadmap for transit in Johnson County, allowing us to make immediate improvements and build toward smart and sustainable growth.”

As part of the adoption of the strategic plan, the BOCC authorized updates to the transit system that can be implemented within the current budget in 2026. They include restructuring the Micro Transit zone, realigning fixed-route service and enhancing paratransit options.

Restructuring the Micro Transit zone

When Johnson County launched its micro transit service in 2019, it was the first suburban market to do so. This on-demand, curb-to-curb service quickly became very popular. However, demand has dipped from an all-time high of 1,000 trips a day during the pandemic to the current 50 trips a day.

The Strategic Plan revises the micro transit system by prioritizing on-demand connection to existing fixed route transit service.

• Right-sizes the service area within the I-435 loop and stays within Johnson County.
• Reduces service from 7 days a week to 5 days a week to be consistent with fixed route service.

Realigning fixed route service

Improvements to Johnson County’s fixed route service include system standardization so each route has at least one bus arriving each hour, as well as increasing frequency to be implemented gradually across the system as budget allows.

• Increases the frequency of transit service on the 401 Metcalf-Plaza, 475 75th Street and 520 Strang Line Express routes.
• Implements a new express route connecting the Mission Transit Center to the East Village Transit Center in Kansas City, Missouri.
• Suspends the 563 Shawnee and 569 South OP Express routes.
• Consolidates the 404 Metcalf-Downtown route with the 401 Metcalf-Plaza route.

Enhancing paratransit options

The strategic plan adds a new service layer that aligns with fixed route transit and supports riders with mobility limitations. The strategic plan:

• Provides paratransit service within 3/4 of a mile of fixed route transit for eligible riders.
• Maintains countywide paratransit service.
• Improves and standardizes eligibility processes.

Other changes

The strategic plan includes rebranding Johnson County’s transit service from “RideKC Johnson County” to “Ride JoCo”. It also includes a return to fares for fixed route transit and paratransit services, coordinated with the region.

Route suspensions and micro transit service area adjustments are targeted to take place in the first quarter of 2026. Given the potential impacts of the World Cup in 2026, the additional improvements to frequency and the implementation of the new express route between Mission Transit Center and the East Village Transit Center are targeted for an August 1, 2026 start date.

Learn more at jocogov.org/transit.