Wearing red as a symbol of solidarity, dozens of city bus riders gathered Wednesday for a rally demanding local leaders maintain funding for public transit.

A crucial contract deadline looms for the city and the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (KCATA).

The rally, held in a park near city hall, featured chants of "Save our buses, win our fight" and the song "Fight the Power," underscoring the urgency of the situation.

For many, including bus rider Justin Morgan, public transit is more than just a means of transportationit's a lifeline.

"It's like I would be lost," Morgan said. "I wouldn't know how to get anywhere. When I first came to Kansas City, I didn't know how to get anywhere until somebody showed me the bus schedule."

Recently released from jail, Morgan emphasized how c

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