GEST brings affordable door-to-door rideshare to Gladstone

A new rideshare option is rolling out in Gladstone, offering drivers and passengers a more affordable way to get around. The Cincinnati-based company GEST has officially launched its door-to-door service, connecting riders not just within Gladstone but also to nearby areas including North Kansas City, Parkville, Liberty, Riverside, and parts of Kansas City, Missouri.

One of the biggest highlights for drivers and riders alike is the flat $3 fare for trips within Gladstone, making the service a cost-friendly alternative for local transportation. According to GEST CEO Patrick Dye, all vehicles in the fleet are 2025 hybrid SUVs, reflecting a push toward sustainability while keeping operational costs lower.

Replacing IRIS with more access

The new program steps in where the Kansas City Area Transit Authority’s IRIS service left off. Instead of relying on fixed pick-up points, GEST offers true door-to-door rides, a shift that Gladstone officials say will make a major difference for residents.

During a ribbon-cutting ceremony at city hall on September 2, Mayor Les Smith emphasized how the city benefits from both savings and improved accessibility.

“The cost of everything is skyrocketing from buying vehicles to owning vehicles, and we have an opportunity for people who don’t have any other way to get around,” Mayor Smith said. “One of the primary responsibilities of government is to do for people what they can’t do for themselves, and this checks that box.”

City leaders explained that keeping IRIS would have cost nearly double. With GEST, Gladstone is investing $125,000 for the first year and expects renewals to run about $120,000 annually moving forward.

Supporting mobility for residents

The new rideshare service is designed to help residents travel anywhere in Gladstone while also offering trips to important destinations such as healthcare facilities in Clay and Platte counties.

Operating hours are set from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on weekends. Rides can be scheduled through the GEST app, available on both Apple and Google Play.

For rideshare drivers watching these changes, GEST represents how smaller cities are beginning to reshape local transportation. By offering low-cost rides and hybrid vehicles, programs like this could influence how drivers balance affordability, efficiency, and community access in the evolving rideshare industry.

Source: KCTV5