Cuts to TARC puts fewer buses on nearly every route, may leave Louisville riders waiting

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- TARC is making tough transportation cuts that impact nearly every route.

By the end of June, TARC plans to have fewer buses on each route. This means most riders will have to wait longer at bus stops.

"The streets and the buses are the veins to the heart of the city," TARC driver Frank "Todd" Ellison said. "If they not moving, the city's not moving."

TARC is a life-line for life-long riders like Phillip Cherry.

"I like to take the bus cause it's a lot more economical, Cherry said. "I can't always afford a lift."

At 69 years old, Cherry has seen a lot of change.

"In the last few months, its gotten real bad," Cherry said. "They're not on schedule."

It's a problem Ozzy Gibson is now tasked with solving. He officially became TARC's executive director on Friday. The board agreed to a compensation package of $225,000 for him.

"As TARC works on a new strategic, routing and financing plan to better serve our community, Ozzy has proven that he is the right person to lead this critical planning and implementation process," Mayor Craig Greenberg said.

Gibson has served as the interim director since December. He is a familiar face in city leadership over the past 30 years. He has had roles with Louisville Metro Police, Metro Animal Services and Louisville Parks and Recreation.

Gibson said TARC's revenue just hasn't kept up. With Covid-19 relief funding running out, the transit agency needs a quick fix to stay afloat. That's where the "Saturday Plus" plan comes in.

"It pushes our financial cliff out a little further," Gibson said. "We have time to do our route redesign and be able to come back with some options."

To temporarily reduce costs, buses will make fewer trips. All but four core routes will be impacted: #4 Fourth Street, #10 Dixie Rapid, #23 Broadway and #28 Preston Highway.

"I have to say I'm sorry," Gibson said. "This is not what we want to do."

This leaves Cherry and his fellow riders sitting at the bus stop even longer.

"It's putting people at risk and danger standing on these bus stops in particular areas of town and not knowing when the buses are coming," Cherry said.

TARC also plans to pump the brakes on three routes. As of June 30, routes 64, 73, and 74 will no longer run.

"Oh," rider Morris Todd said. "I guess I won't be going to Jeffersonville anymore."

While riders are upset about changes, some said one silver lining is TARC's proposed partnership with JCPS. The deal helps restore some of the school district's routes and helps TARC avoid layoffs.

The agreement allows 70 TARC drivers to transport JCPS students to some magnet schools beginning this fall.

"Anything you can do to ensure they're getting there in safely and getting home -- that should be job one," Cherry said. "I'm glad they're partnering in that way."

Greenberg credits Gibson with helping force the deal with JCPS. "As Interim Director, Ozzy has led TARC through successful negotiations to keep TARC drivers employed through an agreement with union leadership and JCPS that will also restore school bus routes, as well as navigating the financial challenges due to American Rescue Plan funding coming to an end."

If JCPS approves the partnership, it will start July 1, 2024 and go until May 31, 2025. It will also come with the option of renewal for another year.

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