Focus Area: City Manager’s Office
Staff Contact: Nolan Sunderman, Chief Strategy Officer
Subject: Consideration of an agreement for the Johnson County Circulator Route Transit Service with Johnson County.
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Consideration of an agreement for Johnson County Circulator Route Transit Service with Johnson County.
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Summary:
This agreement establishes a partnership with Johnson County Transit to provide a circulator route during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Known as the Johnson County United Link, this service will enhance public transportation by connecting key locations throughout Johnson County, reducing traffic congestion, and supporting local economic activity. The circulator will operate through seven participating cities, including Olathe, Lenexa, Leawood, Merriam, Mission, Overland Park, and Shawnee.
The Johnson County Link transit service is set to operate for approximately 35 days, including World Cup match days. The Johson County Link circulator route will connect into official ConnectKC2026 transportation stops that will allow Olathe riders to travel to the Fan Fest events at Liberty Memorial as well as Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead Stadium) where matches will occur. The Johnson County Link will have three routes overlapping at Oak Park Mall to complement the official World Cup transit initiatives. The route will feature two stops in Olathe: along Strang Line south of 119th Street and along Ridgeview south of the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. That route will also stop at Lenexa City Center and Oak Park Mall which is the hub connection. There is also a separate shuttle service to provide riders to/from Kansas City International Airport to stop at Lenexa City Center and the Overland Park Convention Center.
The Johnson County Link will start in early June through mid-July in coordination with ConnectKC26 transportation services. Routes will operate at 20-minute intervals in 35 passenger shuttle buses.
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Financial Impact:
The financial request for Olathe is $111,486, which will be funded through the Transient Guest Tax revenue. The total cost of this service is estimated at $5.7 million which includes funding from Federal, State, and city partnerships.
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Action Needed:
Approval of the agreement with Johnson County to implement the circulator route, facilitating enhanced transit services during the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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Attachment(s):
Agreement for transit service World Cup circulator (Olathe)