Public Transportation Options in Independence

The City of Independence has multiple options for public transportation.  In late 2024, the City Council voted to keep one KCATA bus route due to funding. (To keep all bus routes would cost an estimated $3.4 million for next fiscal year, and $6.4 million the following).  However, there are other options within the City of Independence for residents.

Independence IRIS:  

Independence IRIS operates within City limits. The cost is $5 per person per ride throughout Independence, but there are three free drop off and pick up points:

• Independence Transit Center (401 N Noland Rd, Independence, MO 64050)
• Centerpoint Medical Center (near 19600 East 39th St S, Independence, MO 64057)
• Blue Ridge Crossing Transfer Point (near McDonald's, 11801 East 40th St S, Independence, MO 64055)
  • From the Blue Ridge Crossing Transfer Point, multiple bus routes may be accessed.  Those include: The 28 (Blue Ridge) Route, the 31 (31st Street) Route, and the 47 (Broadway) Route.

IRIS is operated by RideKC. IRIS is a new app-based, on-demand service provided by Kansas City, MO., in partnership with the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority, zTrip, and RideCo.   Click here for more information about IRIS in the Kansas City metro area. 

Rides can be scheduled via phone, online, or app.  
Click here for more details on IRIS in Independence
Click here to view the 800 IRIS stops and plan your trip.

Way To Go:

Way To Go is a program of the Mid-America Regional Council and serves five counties in Missouri and four counties in Kansas.

The program helps residents find:

• Carpools
• Biking or Transit buddies
• Matches employers with rideshare opportunities for employees

WAY TO GO is primarily funded through the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program.
Click here for more details on Way To Go by MARC

RideKC Freedom: 

Paratransit is available to those who meet certain qualifications, such as an older adult, person with a disability or person of low-income. This requires filling out an application. To apply for paratransit service from RideKC Freedom (formerly know as IndeAccess in Independence, Mo.), download a printable application in English or Spanish. The application and Ride Guide are available in alternate formats and in Spanish upon request by calling 816-842-9070 and pressing option 5 for Eligibility. 

After the application process is complete, scheduling can be done over the phone.  Call (816) 842-9070, option 1.

Click here for more details about mobility services from RideKC Freedom across the metro.
Click here to learn more about RideKC Freedom in Independence.

KCATA Bus:

Yes, Independence has bus service!  The 24 (Independence) Route bus takes riders from the Transit Center (401 N. Noland Road) to the East Village Transit Center in downtown Kansas City (700 East 12th Street Kansas City). Find out more about Bus Service in Independence by clicking here.

From there, multiple routes are available.
Click here for more details and to see the route.

Please note, from the Blue Ridge Crossing Transfer Point, multiple bus routes may also be accessed.  

• Those include: The 28 (Blue Ridge) Route, the 31 (31st Street) Route, and the 47 (Broadway) Route.