Riders of TARC in Louisville struggling with cuts that begin Sunday, more cuts possible

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- TARC buses are a lifeline for many people in Louisville, but starting Sunday, it's going to be harder to catch one.

News that the Transit Authority of River City is making necessary cuts to service brought one Louisville man to tears, as he waited for a bus.

Michael McLemore rides a TARC bus most days. "It's going to be tougher for every single person out here."

He didn't know about the changes to nearly all bus routes beginning Sunday.

"Now we are going to be out here hotter," McLemore said. When we met McLemore, he was sweating in a sweatshirt and pants in nearly 90 degree heat. "A lot of us don't have what it takes to be cool out here."

McLemore rides the bus downtown to get help that he said he desperately needs. "It'll be harder to get resources now," he said.

Starting Sunday, TARC is slashing service.

TARC will have fewer bus drivers so most riders will face longer waits at bus stops. The service reductions affect about 20 routes and take effect on June 30, 2024.

Weekday service on affected routes will be reduced, according to a news release. All routes will maintain their current hours and frequencies on Saturdays and Sundays. The service reductions will only impact fixed route service – at this time TARC3 service will remain the same.

TARC also said Route #29 Eastern Parkway will re-route to the north side of Cherokee Park.

TARC spokesperson Alex Posorske said the bus service is losing the federal COVID relief money that funds 40 to 50% of all routes. And it gets less money from the state than other similar sized cities.

"If we continue on the same path and additional revenue sources aren't found, TARC will have to make additional cuts in the coming years," Posorske said.

TARC didn't share what additional cuts would look like or how soon that could happen.

It's launching a planning process called TARC 2025 to find out what the community wants the future of TARC to look like.

But how much money the service will get is not up to TARC or its riders. That lies in the hands of local government officials.

For McLemore, fewer buses running means longer waits. To him, it feels personal.

"It does feel like a slap in the face. I'm already out here struggling," he said. "Knowing now I have to do that much more with that much less...."

McLemore dried his tears as he ran to catch - what for some is just a bus - but for him, is a lifeline.

Service Adjustments Overview

Reductions impact 22 of TARC’s 30 fixed-route bus lines.
The frequency of 19 routes will be reduced, and three limited service routes that were funded by temporary grants will be discontinued.
The four most critical routes in the system (#4, #10, #23, and #28), which carry almost 50% of daily ridership, will remain exactly the same every day of the week.
Four additional routes (#22, #75, #93, and #99), with more limited service during specific parts of the day or week, will remain at the same level of service.
TARC3 paratransit service will not be affected.