As part of the 18th annual Green Commute Challenge, which concluded Oct. 31, Kansas City region residents were challenged to explore different ways to get to work and school — and they showed up.
Over 31 days, 260 participants logged more than 5,000 trips with roughly 40% of those trips made by transit or bike. Together, they helped keep more than 28,000 pounds of emissions out of the air. That’s the equivalent of nearly three hot air balloons.
New this year
The 2026 challenge introduced new ways for commuters to stay connected and motivated by offering more in-person events and weekly prize packages:
- WAY TO GO distributed more than $2,000 in prize donations received from local businesses.
- Seven commuter events were held across the region, ranging from Northeast Kansas City, Missouri, to Overland Park, Kansas, including:
- An ice cream social at Betty Rae’s to help attendees sign up.
- A kickoff luncheon hosted at MARC.
- A commuter coffee break at the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art where attendees received a preview of the museum’s new art exhibit.
- Participation at a MARC Transportation & Environment open house where guests learned about ongoing projects and the intersection of housing, transportation and the environment.
Fresh faces amidst rising gas costs
“Six in 10 of this year’s participants were completely new to the challenge,” said Lynelle Haugabrook, WAY TO GO program coordinator. “With fuel prices on the rise, more commuters are exploring alternative modes to solo driving. The challenge was an approachable way for employers and commuters to embrace new ways of moving around the metro. The ratio of new to existing users signals the region may open to a long-term version of green commuting.”
Congratulations to our 2026 winners
HNTB secured first place and broke a new organizational record, with more than 1,000 green trips, and the Urbanists of UMKC (pictured above) won second place. The City of Kansas City, Missouri, was awarded the top local government award. Aaron A. and Charles D. secured first and second place in the individual category.
Thank you to our title sponsors
The challenge was made possible through sponsorship from Commute with Enterprise, Evergy, HNTB and the Hyde Park Neighborhood Association.
“The WAY TO GO team is grateful for the title sponsors, for every business that donated prizes or food, and for every partner that hosted a commuter event to keep participants motivated throughout the month,” Haugabrook said.
What’s next for commuters in the region
With current fuel prices and major upcoming freeway closures, many commuters in the Kansas City region will need to find another way.
The same tool that powered the Green Commute Challenge can help residents year-round. WAY TO GO’s free carpool matching platform is available via desktop and mobile apps. It’s a tangible way to ease traffic congestion and cut rising fuel costs by carpooling with locals in your area. The more people who sign up, the more matches and options are available.
