April 30, 2025 | Gladstone, MO
Gladstone residents were bracing for transportation doom this week after a dramatic city-issued statement announced the suspension of the IRIS on-demand transit service, set to go dark on May 1 due to Kansas City's refusal to fund the program. Gripping headlines, public outcry, and rising panic filled social media feeds for several thrilling hours.
And then—just as the shock began to settle—a plot twist worthy of a soap opera finale:
"UPDATE: Gladstone has been advised that Kansas City has secured funding to continue operating the IRIS on-demand transit service beyond May 1, 2025. Service will continue as usual until further notice. We apologize for any confusion."
Translation? Oops—false alarm, folks! Turns out Kansas City coughed up the cash after all, and the dramatic farewell to affordable, flexible ride service was a bit premature.
This latest episode in the “Will They? Won’t They?” saga of metro transit funding leaves residents relieved but dizzy. Meanwhile, IRIS vans will keep rolling, possibly driven by operators just as confused as everyone else.
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