LOUISVILLE, Ky. — In April, the Transit Authority of River City, also known as TARC, passed its fiscal year 2025 budget, which calls for service reductions to address a fiscal shortfall. 

With time ticking down to finalize the budget, TARC employees and others rallied for the Louisville Metro Council to support public transportation funding.

What You Need To Know

  • The Transit Authority of River City proposed a budget that cuts $14 million, which requires a reduction in service routes

  • TARC's board of directors says without changes to the budget they won’t be able to meet expected expenses by 2026 

  • Drivers with TARC rallied for the Louisville Metro Council to support public transportation funding

  • They say that public transportation is critical for those who can't afford other means of transportation

Marie Wells, who has been a TARC driver for 22 years, says public transit is essential and cutting services would affect people who depend on them.

“You got people of all ages. You got elderly. You know, they use us to get to the grocery store to get back home, to pick up their grandchildren from school and they are on a fixed income,” said Wells.

TARC drivers Anita Meneese and Kelley Knight say many people can’t afford services like Uber or Lyft and public transportation is their only option. 

“You have riders that get on the bus that can’t even afford to ride that day. And then look at the cost of car insurance and a car who can afford it?” said Knight. 

TARC’s board of directors says without changes to the budget they won’t be able to meet expected expenses by 2026.

President/Business Agent of ATU Local 1447 Lillian Brents says the longevity of the transit systems is on the line without funding and will affect the entire city of Louisville. TARC proposed a budget cutting $14 million.

“We’re asking to work with them as a partner to figure out the correct way or the best way possible to support funding for public transit routes. We no longer want to continue on with the story that it has never been done. Louisville is growing, we are vibrant, and it’s time to change the way that we are operated. And one of the first changes that they can make, the choice they have, is to fund public transit,” said Brents. 

No agreement has been made yet but there is an ongoing conversation about TARC and Jefferson County Public Schools collaborating. Knight thinks that could be a viable solution.

“We are the community. I mean, we have to stick together. So even if we have to help with JCPS, that’s fine. But JCPS also understands that they need to help us too. So I mean, I think if we all stick together, we can pull it off,” said Knight. 

Brents says she hopes people will not take transportation for granted as it is a vital part to the growth of Louisville.

“So we’re asking the community to stand with us as we navigate through these changes that necessary, that need to be made,” said Brents. 

The board approved service reductions following a plan called “Saturday plus”  which is similar to how buses currently run on the weekends, meaning fewer buses are scheduled Monday through Friday.

The service reductions would go into effect on Jan. 5, 2025. TARC3 services will not be impacted. Workers say they will continue to rally until change is made.

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