Wyandotte County Prepares for World Cup with Transit Upgrades and Vision Zero Initiatives

County officials discuss plans to expand microtransit, increase bus frequency, and implement traffic safety measures ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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Wyandotte County officials outlined plans to enhance public transit and traffic safety in preparation for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Proposals include expanding the IRIS microtransit service countywide, increasing bus frequency to 20 minutes, extending weekend hours, and launching a Legends loop pilot project to connect hotels and entertainment venues. The county is also moving forward with its Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities, identifying the top 20 priority locations for safety improvements as part of a federal grant program.

Why it matters

As Wyandotte County prepares to host World Cup events, improving public transportation and traffic safety are crucial to accommodate increased ridership and ensure the safety of residents and visitors. The transit upgrades and Vision Zero initiatives demonstrate the county's commitment to providing reliable, accessible, and safe mobility options.

The details

Transportation director Deasiray Bush and deputy budget director Michael Peterson outlined plans to use existing funding sources, including IRIS zone maintenance and World Cup-related transit expansion, to cover increased operating and capital costs. The county will also leverage federal grants, such as the Urbanized Formula Funds 5307 and Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding, to support the transit improvements. Key projects include expanding IRIS countywide, increasing fixed-route bus frequency to 20 minutes, extending weekend service until 2 a.m., and launching a Legends loop pilot to connect hotels and entertainment venues.

  • The KDOT World Cup allocation, along with matching funds from the UG City General Fund budget, will cover the World Cup-related transit upgrades.
  • KDOT funds for the IRIS microtransit service will run out in early March, prompting the need for additional CMAQ Operating Microtransit Funding and Urbanized Formula Funds 5307 funding.

The players

Deasiray Bush

Director of transportation for Wyandotte County.

Michael Peterson

Deputy budget director for Wyandotte County.

Sarah Shafer

Representative from the Wyandotte County Public Works department, presenting on the Vision Zero initiative.

Jason Ulrich

Business license administrator for Wyandotte County, presenting an ordinance to simplify the special event vendor permit process.

Rachel Miskec

Neighborhood resource coordinator for Wyandotte County, assisting with the special event vendor ordinance presentation.

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What they’re saying

“Vision Zero's goal is to achieve no traffic fatalities.”

— Sarah Shafer, Representative, Wyandotte County Public Works (thebeaconnews.org)

What’s next

The Vision Zero project is moving into the implementation phase, with the county identifying the top 20 priority locations for safety improvements as part of the final Safe Streets for All (SS4A) federal grant phase. The county will then select up to five locations to focus on, with the goal of qualifying for additional USDOT SS4A Implementation Grant funding.

The takeaway

Wyandotte County is proactively addressing the transportation and safety challenges associated with hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup by investing in expanded public transit options and implementing a comprehensive Vision Zero strategy to eliminate traffic fatalities. These initiatives demonstrate the county's commitment to providing reliable, accessible, and safe mobility for residents and visitors alike.