For many people, public transit is about more than getting from one place to another. It can serve as a connection to services, support, and opportunities. Through RideKC’s Transit Ambassador program, riders can access assistance that extends well beyond schedules and directions.
Transit Ambassadors Annie and Isis bring personal experience, compassion, and extensive community knowledge to their work, helping riders navigate challenges both on and off the bus.
“We meet you where you are,” said Isis, who joined KCATA in April 2026 after being encouraged to apply by a supervisor she met while riding the bus herself. “You don’t have to be stuck in the situation you’re in. The help is there, but you have to want it.”
Annie, who joined the program in January 2026 after working at the Full Employment Council, was drawn to the role because it combined her interests in transportation, customer service, and mental health support.
“We’ve all been through something and needed these services,” Annie said. “It’s been helpful to share with others, ‘I can relate to you.'”
Transit Ambassadors are trained in trauma-informed care, situational awareness, bias awareness, and equity and inclusion practices. In addition to helping riders navigate the transit system, they can connect people to a wide range of community resources through a network of more than 170 service providers and partners. Assistance may include behavioral health services, employment support, shelter referrals, access to hygiene resources, clothing, food assistance, and other basic needs.
Ambassadors can also assist riders with translation services and help connect individuals directly to shelter, housing and job resources when available.
Both Annie and Isis say one of the most challenging aspects of the job is seeing the gap between community needs and available resources, particularly when it comes to emergency shelter, transitional housing, and affordable childcare. Still, they remain committed to helping people access support and building relationships that can make a difference.
“Community is so important,” Isis said. “It’s definitely a community effort.”
KCATA currently has 36 full-time transit ambassadors and six college interns. Their service hours are 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. For riders seeking additional support, the transit ambassadors referenced Jackson County’s Ray Way – a resource list that’s regularly updated and serves as a valuable tool for finding local services and assistance throughout the Kansas City region.
