(Photo by: Jasmine Mills)

Imagine you’re all out of gas and you really don’t want to go to the gas station before class in the morning. Lucky for you, JCCC partnered with RideKC, and anyone can ride for free on the KC Metro area bus route.

According to JCCC’s transportation page, these free rides are a “part of our campus initiatives to support sustainability and remove barriers to education.”

The KC Metro area bus route has more stops than just to and from campus, and student IDs are strongly encouraged when using the buses. 

Some of the places you can go for free are: 

• Downtown Kansas City
• Country Club Plaza
• KU-Edwards
• Oak Park Mall
• Rosana Square
• And more

JCCC student Clair Kohlhase uses the bus to help them out multiple times a week because they can’t drive and doesn’t feel comfortable learning. 

According to Kohlhase, their ride is about 30-45 minutes and is pretty easy to access. 

“[It’s] only about a 15-minute walk from my house,” Kohlhase said. 

Kohlhase finds the buses to be pretty reliable and they typically don’t have any issues with the schedule. 

“They’re always there every day and vaguely around the same time, but they’re not always on time,” Kohlhase said. 

The ride is always pleasant and safe, according to Kohlhase, and they recommend using public transportation when offered. 

“It’s an actual good use of our tax dollars, which I can’t say about a lot of things in this country,” Kohlhase said. “It’s accessible, goes [to] lots of places, safe, and reliable.” 

RideKC offers some tips, tricks and bus etiquette for newbie riders. 

First, make sure that you are prepared. Check the schedule and make sure you know where you’re going before your ride. 

“Plan ahead by referring to online schedules, using the online trip planner or by calling (816) 221-0660 before you head out,” RideKC said. 

Look for the right signs and routes upon arrival. Be sure to get to your stop in a timely manner. RideKC suggests arriving at least five minutes early and having your student ID ready. 

“Look for signs at the bus stop, shelter, park and ride lot or transit center showing the route name and number,” RideKC said. “Catch the right route by looking for the name and number [on] the overhead sign.”

Finally, make sure that you are being cautious and safe on all buses. 

“Wait for the bus to come to a complete stop before boarding and exiting,” RideKC said. “Move safely about the bus using safety rails and watch for anything that may cause you to slip.” 

If you are in need of transportation or simply don’t want to get gas in the morning, RideKC may be an option for you.