Are fewer people riding the bus now that gas has dropped to less than $2 a gallon in Kansas City?

It turns out that bus ridership in Kansas City has continued to grow, despite falling gas prices, KMBC's Bev Chapman reported.

"There's still a lot of people riding the bus, at least this one," Jim O'Donnell said.

"It was standing room only," Laura Hayes said.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority said there were nearly 51,000 people riding the bus in 2007.

From January to August 2008 that number jumped to 56,000.

In October, ridership climbed to more than 60,000.

Riders said using the bus reduces wear and tear on cars, it's easier than dealing with parking and traffic and it's still cheaper than driving.

The KCATA said that even though gas prices are falling, riders are facing other economic issues that make the bus more convenient.

Despite this...

Some say we've bailed out banks, and automakers, now it's time to bailout the ATA.

The people who run Kansas City's bus service are hoping for a bailout from Missouri Lawmakers as a one-time cash infusion.

The ATA is asking for $14 million dollars, and St. Louis is asking for $20 million dollars to get by until 2011 before making cuts - if they're still needed by then.

Without the extra Kansas City ATA officials are expecting to cut service on about a third of its routes starting in June.

Voters renewed a sales tax for transit last year, but the bleak economy forced the city to cut bus service by about $7 million, leaving transit planners in a fix.