A new area code is coming to the Kansas City area on the Missouri side. The Missouri Public Service Commission said Monday that it will begin implementing a new 975 area code in the Kansas City region. The area code will co-exist with the 816 area code, which covers Kansas City, St. Joseph, Savannah, Richmond, Odessa and other areas on the Missouri side. Those with existing 816 area code numbers will retain their current code and their phone numbers will not change. “Telephone number conservation efforts were successful and we were able to delay the area code overlay implementation plan for the 816 area code for more than 21 years,” said Public Service Commission Chairman Scott Rupp. “The exhaustion of available telephone numbers led to an overlay plan and the introduction of the new 557 area code in the 314 area code region in August of last year.” Telephone companies will be able to request new 975 numbers beginning on Oct. 13, 2023. The Missouri Public Service Commission also said that the price of a call, coverage area and other rates and services will not change. But customers in the overlay district will be required to dial 10 digits for local calls.