Kato Go Play wraps up successful 2025 season with record ridership
The City of Mankato’s Kato Go Play youth summer transit service concluded its 2025 season on August 15 after running since June 9 — and the results show strong community engagement and growing interest in youth transportation options.
This year, Kato Go Play saw a total of 1,076 rides, a 471-ride increase over last year’s 605 rides. The program also saw a jump in rider signups, growing from 32 in 2024 to 58 active accounts in 2025 an increase of 26.
Top destinations for youth riders included:
- MY Place
- The Pond
- East High School
- Lincoln Community Center
- Prairie Winds Middle School
“As we transition from summer transit programs to routes supporting our college and school-year riders, it’s a great time for residents to consider public transportation as a safe, accessible, and sustainable way to get around,” said Associate Director – Transportation Planning Services Shawn Schloesser.
The program’s goal is to promote safe, independent travel for youth while introducing them to public transit early. As the summer service wraps up, the City encourages all residents, especially students and families, to continue using public transportation throughout the school year.
Kato Go Play supports the City of Mankato’s Strategic Goal #2: Sustainable Infrastructure by:
- Expanding better, safer, multi-modal opportunities for all users
Improving connectivity throughout the community.
