♿ Accessible travel in Kansas City

Using a wheelchair, mobility scooter, walker or cane? Here's how Kansas City's buses and streetcar work for you — and where the tricky parts are.

Riding the bus with a mobility device

• RideKC says buses throughout the Kansas City region are fitted with lifts or ramps. Let the driver know you need the ramp or lift as the bus pulls up.
• Drivers can't carry wheelchairs up or down steps or along paths that aren't accessible, so choose a stop with a clear, level path.
• Larger scooters: lifts, ramps and securement areas have size and weight limits. If you use a large three- or four-wheel scooter, check with RideKC before you travel — see RideKC's rider guide (Accessibility / ADA) or call KCATA (RideKC) at 816-221-0660.
• Riders with disabilities can get reduced (50%) fares — details on RideKC fares & passes.

Riding the KC Streetcar

• KC Streetcar says it offers 100% level boarding at all of its stops. Board at the middle doors for level boarding.
• It's free and comes about every 10 minutes, so if a car is crowded you won't wait long for the next one.
• See all 18 stops and what's near each in the KC Streetcar guide.

Getting to and from the stop

This is where most trips get hard. The schedule data we use doesn't say which bus stops have sidewalks, curb ramps or shelters, so:

• Streetcar platforms are the most predictable places to board.
• Before an unfamiliar trip, look at the stop and your route on a street-level map (for example Google Street View).
• In our planner, the “See how to get there” button opens Google Maps — tap Options there and choose Wheelchair accessible.
• Downtown distances are short, but Kansas City has real hills (Hospital Hill, the WWI Memorial, the Nelson-Atkins lawn).

How far is it from the stop?

From trip tests on RideKC/KCATA schedule data with wheelchair routing turned on. Distances are to each venue's address; accessible entrances may be closer or farther.

RideKC Freedom (paratransit)

• RideKC Freedom is a shared-ride service in accessible vehicles for people whose disability prevents them from using regular buses some or all of the time. Eligibility is based on functional ability, not just having a disability or medical condition.
• Visitors: RideKC says out-of-town visitors who are ADA-paratransit eligible in their home city, or who have an apparent disability, can use RideKC Freedom for up to 21 days in a 365-day period.
• Trips are booked in advance by phone or the RideKC Freedom app; Freedom On-Demand offers more flexible trips for eligible riders.
• RideKC says Freedom riders who link their status in the RideKCGO app can ride regular buses free.

Details and applications: RideKC Freedom · Eligibility & applications.

When something goes wrong

• Detours and closures: check RideKC service alerts and service bulletins before you go — a rerouted bus may skip your usual accessible stop.
• A ramp or lift doesn't work, or a bus passes you by: note the time, route and stop, and report it through RideKC feedback & complaints or by calling KCATA (RideKC) at 816-221-0660.
• Taxis and rideshare: wheelchair-accessible vehicles aren't always available. Check the Uber, Lyft or zTrip app, or call ahead, before you count on one.

Found a broken sidewalk or missing curb ramp?

Use Report a barrier. Tell us where it is and what’s wrong — we’ll show you who fixes it (for Kansas City, Missouri sidewalks and curb ramps, that’s KCMO 311) and write the report for you to send.

Accessible sightseeing

Our Easy Accessible Day links River Market, Union Station, Crown Center and the Country Club Plaza using the level-boarding streetcar. Other car-free day plans and the places directory show the nearest stop for each place.