Shawnee agrees to share up to $52,651 for Johnson County World Cup circulator bus

The Shawnee City Council voted Feb. 9 to join a multi‑city partnership with Johnson County Transit for a temporary circulator bus service during the World Cup. Deputy City Manager Colin Duffy described the project as the "Johnson County United Link," operating for up to 42 days with a total projected cost of $5.7 million and $400,000 of that cost shared among participating cities.

Duffy said Shawnee's not‑to‑exceed share is $52,651, to be paid from transient guest tax (TGT) funds, and that the planned stop is the existing bus stop on Nieman just south of Johnson Drive. He told council that Leawood, Lenexa and Merriam had already approved participation and that if another city drops out, Johnson County Transit would absorb the cost. Staff emphasized uncertainty about recouping the city's outlay and suggested tracking downtown sales tax during the event to gauge impact.

Councilmembers asked whether routes would be cut if participant cities withdrew and about the likelihood the city would recoup its contribution; staff said route reductions would occur and that recoupment was difficult to predict. The council approved the agreement by motion and voice vote.

Staff said the circulator is intended to support tourism during the World Cup and to provide economic development benefits for downtown Shawnee.