Kansas City Built World Cup Transit, Then Cuts Bus Routes

Kansas City, the smallest U.S. host city for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has built a temporary new transit system called Connect KC26 to welcome an estimated 650,000 visitors — more people than the city’s entire population of 520,000. But weeks after the tournament ends on July 13, the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA) will cut more than one-fourth of its weekday bus routes, sparking criticism that the city is prioritizing tourists over the residents who rely on public transit every day.

According to NPR, the temporary system deploys approximately 225 additional charter buses to shuttle fans between the airport, downtown, and GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium — rebranded as “Kansas City Stadium” for the tournament. A round-trip stadium shuttle costs $15, and the airport-to-downtown shuttle is free, running every 15 minutes.

A Tale of Two Transit Systems

Connect KC26 offers visitors a level of service that Kansas City residents rarely experience. The system includes direct buses to 15 locations where no direct bus service currently exists, unlimited regional day passes for $5, and tournament passes for $50. Union Station will serve as a central hub, hosting the Volunteer Center and a 14,000-square-foot visitor playground.

Yet the improved service is temporary by design. As KCUR reported, starting September 6, the KCATA will cut seven weekday routes and two weekend routes — more than one-fourth of weekday service — and reduce frequency on four others. These cuts will bring the agency to the fewest bus routes it has had in decades.

Tyler Means, KCATA’s Chief Mobility and Strategy Officer, acknowledged the pain of the reductions. “We don’t want to have to make these kinds of cuts,” Means told KCUR. “There’s absolutely no fat (to trim). I would say that we are cutting into good meat on this one.”

The Cost of Hosting

FIFA requires host cities to provide public transportation to visitors but does not help pay for it, placing the financial burden on cities like Kansas City. KC2026, the city’s World Cup planning committee, would not disclose the transit system’s total cost but said “costs will be in the millions.” Kansas City pledged $15 million to KC2026 for World Cup obligations.

The KCATA’s 2026-27 contract with the city provides approximately $85 million — a funding increase from recent years — but officials say it is insufficient to prevent the post-tournament cuts. The enhanced World Cup service, which includes expanded hours until 2 a.m. and increased frequency on key routes, will cost nearly $7.5 million, funded through federal World Cup funds, diverted capital funding, and repurposed grants.

Meanwhile, after six years of free rides, the KCATA will begin charging fares again starting June 1 — just days before the tournament begins.

Voices from Both Sides

Pam Kramer, CEO of KC2026, defended the approach, telling NPR: “We’re thinking about it beyond the tournament and the requirements (from FIFA). To deliver value to the region, spread out the economic impact, make sure people from across the region participate and make sure visitors see all we have to offer is something I’m really proud of.”

But transit advocates see a stark double standard. Sunrise Movement Kansas City and the Kansas City Bus Riders Union published a zine titled “Not a Game to Us” in March, writing: “For 33 days this summer, KC’s public transit will bloom; granting more routes and greater frequency to tourists and visitors, all things that Kansas Citians deserve everyday.”

Resident Dayne Moth was more blunt: “Prioritizing World Cup transportation over funding frequent, reliable everyday transit, it signals to me that they don’t care about everyday working Kansas Citians who rely on bus service. They aren’t treating transit as a necessity. It’s a disgrace.”

A Glimpse of What Could Be

Councilmember Eric Bunch, who sits on the KCATA board, offered a more nuanced view. He told NPR he hopes the World Cup transit will encourage more people to try the bus and foster regional collaboration for sustained funding.

“Optimistically, I think it provides a glimpse into what a truly regional transit system could look like,” Bunch said. “That looks different for a regular, everyday person versus a visitor coming for the World Cup. But I think that it’s going to be a system that’s usable for the everyday person.”

Amtrak is also stepping up: the Missouri Department of Transportation added extra rail cars to the Missouri River Runner service between St. Louis and Kansas City, increasing capacity by 25% from June 15 through July 12, as KCUR reported.

What’s Next

Kansas City will host six World Cup matches — four group stage games, one Round of 32 clash, and a quarterfinal — including Argentina’s title defense opener against Algeria on June 16. England’s national team will be based in the city for the tournament.

But the clock is ticking. On September 6, the temporary bloom of transit service will wither, leaving residents with fewer options than before. The question lingering over the city is whether the World Cup experiment will generate lasting political will for regional transit funding — or whether it will be remembered as 33 days of what could have been.

As the Bus Riders Union put it: “Long-term investments in our city’s transit should not be sacrificed to accommodate any single event — no matter how ‘monumental.’”