TARC may look at raising fares to help come back from financial challenges

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Louisville's public transportation agency gave councilmembers an update on its finances Monday evening.

TARC went before the Metro Council Budget Committee as it tries to come back from a $30 million financial cliff it was facing.

The bus service has made recent service cuts. Ozzy Gibson, TARC's executive director, said they don't expect to further cut service this fall, but they may make some tweaks.

Gibson said TARC is getting back to basics this year, like reliability with routes and timing. He said those metrics are already seeing big improvements.

TARC is also looking at raising fares to help with its budget.

"Everybody around us has already gone up. So we're in the process now of figuring out where does Louisville fit in and what should it be, and it should be something that happens probably more frequently, I don't think we've done it since 2012," Gibson said. "It's not going to generate a lot, but as we discussed last year, every penny counts."

It's also going through its policies, contracts and logistics to find other potential savings.

Right now, TARC's budget is $115 million, which was approved Monday in a vote by the Council Budget Committee.

Previous Coverage:

TARC presents 4 possible route plans after recent cuts, asks for more public input

TARC route reductions, changes start Sunday in Louisville area

TARC prepares riders for cuts in January, future route redesign

TARC cuts 3 bus routes in Louisville in effort to meet 'historic financial challenges'