Johnson County board approves plan to downsize little-used bus routes, considers expanding microtransit

The already limited county fixed-route bus system is about to get even more so next year, with the elimination or downsizing of several fixed routes.

County commissioners voiced approval for route changes that could amount to $1.2 million to $1.4 million savings on some of the least-used routes. At the same time they delayed decisions on whether to beef up other routes, saying they want more information.

Instead most commissioners enthusiastically embraced expansion of a micro transit system that resembles Uber as the mass transit of the future. Micro transit riders would likely pay a higher fare than the base $1.50 now charged for the typical bus ride.

(Read more: Shawnee Mission Post – Community news and events for northeast Johnson County)