The IRIS service is an on-demand transportation solution with a service from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. seven days a week. The service includes para-transit services. The contract is for a nine-month extension of the IRIS (zTrip) pilot program effective beginning April 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024, for $14,000 monthly.
During the nine-month pilot program extension, trips within the boundaries of the City of Liberty will have a fare of $3. The entire City of Liberty will be included within the program during the additional one-month trial period. Trips leaving or coming from borders outside of Liberty will follow the IRIS pricing structure within Kansas City, MO. The KCATA will retain all fare revenues.
The goals of the IRIS (zTrip) service are to expand access to public transportation within KCMO and surrounding communities in areas currently underserved by transit. The ; and to create, deploy and operate an innovative mobility system that maximizes transit accessibility by incorporating dynamic, on-demand flex service to complement traditional transit services. Data will continue to be gathered during the nine-month pilot program and such data will be used to create an ongoing IRIS (zTrip) service for the City of Liberty, if approved by the City Council. The cost of an annual on-going contract for IRIS (zTrip) service with the KCATA will be dependent upon rider demand, service scope, ride fare structure, etc.
City staff will also be working with Gladstone, North Kansas City, Parkville, and Riverside (the Northland Five) to create and coordinate a "Northland" zTrip (IRIS) transportation service, to be reviewed and approved by each City's respective elected bodies. The IRIS (zTrip) flex transportation solution could also be utilized by employers for workforce transportation needs, if they choose to participate individually with their businesses, or possibly as part of a larger partnership with the City.