Johnson County, Kan.

RideKC Freedom

Your mobility is important to us. That is why IndeBus, KCATA, Johnson County and Unified Government Transit are working together as RideKC to provide friendly, affordable access to the Kansas City region. If you are an older adult (65+), person with a disability or person of low-income please see below what services may be available to you. We are here to help connect you to your community.

RideKC Freedom is a shared ride program providing affordable curb-to-curb transportation for eligible, registered residents of Johnson County. RideKC Freedom rides may be provided by RideKC Freedom vehicles or through a local taxi provider.  All procedures and policies remain the same regardless of the ride provider.

To apply for paratransit service from KCATA, Unified Government Transit, Johnson County, Kan., or IndeAccess, 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. 

Riders may use RideKC Freedom for any trip purpose within Johnson County, and to Kansas City, MO and Kansas City, KS.

RideKC Freedom in Johnson County operates Monday through Friday from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. except major holidays. Trips will be scheduled by the rider up to seven (7) days in advance and no later than 2 days prior to the trip.

A note about RideKC Freedom fares  – Effective during the Covid-19 pandemic, RideKC Freedom (Special Edition) is currently at zero fare.  If/when fares resume, information on regular and reduced fares will be published

Service area

Eligible riders may use RideKC Freedom for any trip purpose within the Johnson County boundary, and specified areas of Kansas City, Kansas and Kansas City, Missouri.  If the eligible rider lives outside of the defined service area, the rider is responsible for transportation to and from the closest service boundary

Quick Links

Ride Guide Documents: Eligibility - How to Ride - Policy
Severe Weather
Tips for Arranging Trips

Reservations & Cancellation

Reservations: Once a patron receives an ID card, he/she may call RideKC Freedom Johnson County scheduling directly at 913) 362-3500, option 2 to schedule a ride. All ride scheduling, changes and/or modifications must be through the RideKC Freedom Scheduler. Riders wishing to communicate through Kansas Relay may call 1-800-766-3777. Scheduling is available Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  Riders should request rides at least one business days in advance or up to a maximum of fourteen calendar days in advance. Riders may not schedule RideKC Freedom rides through the Taxi company.

Riders should review the RideKC Freedom Guidelines and Policies before using the service. By using RideKC Freedom, a rider is verifying that he/she understands the policies and procedures of the service and will abide by them.

Cancellations: Un-needed or unwanted trips must be cancelled at least two hours before your scheduled pickup time. To cancel a trip, please call (913) 362-3500 and select Option 2, leave your cancellation on the answering machine, if necessary. When cancelling a ride, the return trip (second leg) if scheduled, will automatically be cancelled also unless the rider specifically requests it to remain.

Some Helpful Guidelines

• Schedule both pickup and return trips at the same time.
• Drivers are not allowed to make trip reservations for passengers.
• RideKC Freedom trips are scheduled with a 30 pickup window. This means the driver may arrive for pickup 15 minutes before or 15 minutes after your scheduled pickup time.
• Drivers wait no longer than five minutes after they arrive for a scheduled pickup. 
• RideKC Freedom vehicles will not stop at any location other than those that were scheduled. 
• All RideKC Freedom buses are wheelchair accessible. Wheelchair accessible vehicles are also available through the taxi company.
• All passengers are required to wear seat-belts while being transported by RideKC Freedom.
• RideKC Freedom is a shared ride system. Riders may be onboard up to 60-90 minutes. Please let the scheduler know your drop off time when you call in to request your trip.
• If you use a wheelchair or a scooter, your mobility device must be properly secured during loading, unloading, and transport. This means that all securement devices must be in good working order. This includes, but is not limited to, lap belts, brakes, shoulder restraints, wheelchair restraints, etc. If your mobility device cannot be properly secured, you will either need to transfer to a seat or you will not be transported.
• If you use a wheelchair or a scooter, please state this when reserving your ride(s). Riders must have adequate sidewalks, ramps and driveways if they are to be transported by RideKC Freedom. It is not the driver’s responsibility to clear ramps, driveways or sidewalks of debris, snow, ice, etc.
• Wheelchairs and scooters must back onto the lift during loading on RideKC Freedom buses. Riders are not allowed to face the interior of the bus while on the lift.
• Riders who require oxygen must have a physician’s statement on file at the Johnson County Transit office stating that the rider uses oxygen.
• If an Aide will accompany you, you must state this when reserving a ride.
• Drivers only go to the exterior doors of buildings. Drivers will not enter private residences, apartment buildings, townhomes, condominiums, mobile homes, nursing homes, etc. Drivers will not enter businesses, doctors’ buildings, hospitals, retail shops (department or grocery stores, etc.) or office buildings.
• Drivers are not qualified to render medical aid. It is suggested that a rider with any potentially serious medical condition obtain the consent of a physician prior to using this transportation system.
• All ride scheduling, changes and/or modifications must be through the RideKC Freedom Scheduler. Riders may not schedule RideKC Freedom rides through the taxi company.
• Please do not talk to or otherwise distract the driver when the vehicle is in motion

Johnson County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, or other circumstance prohibited by federal, state, or local law, rule, or regulation, including Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act in employment or the provision of service.