The Kansas City metro region is heating up, and not in a good way. September began with the first Ozone Action Alert of the year. These alerts warn people that the air contains unhealthy levels of ground-level ozone. That’s the bad news.
The good news is you can help turn our regional air quality around this October.
Each fall, WAY TO GO hosts its Green Commute Challenge, a month-long campaign that promotes sustainable commuting across the Kansas City region. Since 2008, more than 7,000 participants from over 100 organizations have joined the cause by cycling, carpooling, walking, rolling or riding transit. The challenge is open to individuals, employers and local governments in both Kansas and Missouri.
The 18th Annual Green Commute Challenge takes place from Oct. 1 – 31, 2026. This isn’t just a chance to do good, but an opportunity to earn prizes as well. Helping the environment doesn’t have to be complicated.
To participate in the challenge (which is completely free), go to my.waytogokc.org to create a profile on the WAY TO GO desktop or mobile app, find a team then begin recording trips Oct. 1. Easy peazy!
You can form a community team made up of your favorite people, or you can join an employer or school team. Just make sure your employer or school are listed in your profile to be added automatically.
Now, the question you may be asking is, “What is a green commute?”
A green commute is a trip to and from university/college or work and business-related trips that doesn’t involve riding in a car by yourself.
Points can be earned for the following green modes:
- Carpooling/vanpooling
- Biking
- Walking/rolling
- Scooting
- Taking the bus
- Riding the streetcar
The Green Commute Challenge is a bistate campaign. The challenge is open to people and employers who live/work within Johnson, Leavenworth, Miami, Platte and Wyandotte counties in Kansas and Cass, Clay, Jackson and Ray counties in Missouri. Participants must be a minimum of 18 years old.
A kickoff luncheon for this year’s Green Commute Challenge will be held at the Mid-America Regional Council’s new headquarters 801 Pennsylvania Ave. at noon Monday, Sept. 28. Challenge participants, prize donors and sponsors are welcome to attend by registering here.
About WAY TO GO
WAY TO GO is a program of the Mid-America Regional Council that promotes sustainable transportation resources. The program service area spans nine counties and 119 cities across Kansas and Missouri to impact roughly 2.1 million people. WAY TO GO is federally funded through Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality grants to help reduce regional traffic congestion and improve air quality. WAY TO GO is part of the State Implementation Plan for Kansas and Missouri and its public outreach supports plans such as Connected KC 2050, Smart Moves 2.0, and the KC Climate Action Plan. The two most utilized services of WAY TO GO are the Guaranteed Ride Home and its free carpool matching app. Learn more at www.waytogokc.org.
