LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- As transit systems nationwide, including Louisville, continue to cut or reduce services, a nearby county is trying to build its own public transit system.

Hardin County officials have created plans to create their own public transit system, that includes running a route down Dixie Highway.

It's welcomed news for many, who said its difficult getting around without a personal vehicle. 

“That would be amazing, that would help a lot of people,” local resident Dallas Husband said.

Before Husband had a car to get him from point A to point B, he said it was difficult traveling around Elizabethtown. 

"Out in E-town it's a different story," Husband said. "It's a big city, it’s growing, lot of people coming to E-town, it would be amazing to have public transportation down these highways, down these roads and get them to where they need to go.” 

People like Richard Sisney, who don't have a car, have to rely on walking to get around. He said he walks around two to three miles a day.

"I just walk and everything," Sisney said. "Don't get me wrong like walking, but always out of breath."

That struggle has been noticed. That's why the Lincoln Trail Area Development District, along with Radcliff/Elizabethtown Metropolitan Planning Organization (REMPO) gauged interest from stakeholders. 

Hardin Count Transit System

Hardin Count Transit System

Between Feb.-April 2024, it conducted surveys and interviews to get a better understanding. The survey found a lack of transportation options has had an impact on residents seeking education or work opportunities to fill jobs.

More than 1,400 people were surveyed, and found one out of six respondents don't own a person vehicle.

"The need has been there," said Daniel London, executive director of Lincoln Trail Area Development District. 

London said population growth in the county is enough of a reason to build the system now, but it also wants to prepare for anticipated growth from the Ford BlueOval SK Electrical Battery plant.

"With the population growth it would, the need has been there, but certainly has strongly influenced it," London said. 

With that information, it developed a three-phase approach to implement a transportation system.

Phase One is expected to begin around early 2025, according to London.

It will coordinate vanpools, with stops at Baptist Health, Elizabethtown Community and Technical College, BlueOval SK, and Fort Knox.

Phase One will use Transit Authority of Central Kentucky's (TACK) existing van fleet to begin. 

As of now, TACK coordinates stops for people who schedule a ride one day in advance.

Phase Two is expected to be implemented between 2026-2028.

This phase creates a fixed route service, that would run a main line down Dixie Highway, beginning at Fort Knox Visitors Center and ending the Elizabethtown Park and Ride. It would also loop around Vine Grove and Elizabethtown.

Download PDF REMPO Public Transportation Study

At this point, the plan calls to purchase six-nine 14-seater buses, and installing bus stop signs and shelters with benches at key stops. 

"We want to build this intentionally and methodically, brick-by-brick to make sure that we get it right," said London.

Phase Three is expected to begin in 2030 or beyond.

Phase Three extending the Fort Knox Connector south to Glendale and north to West Point, and incorporate BlueOval SK and Glendale industrial Park. It would also consider adding a Brandenburg Connector to connect locations in Brandenburg and with Fort Knox or Radcliff. 

London said its holding off on incorporating BlueOval SK plant, because of the delayed openings. 

"We want to make sure we see that picture colored in a little bit more," London said. 

When it comes to financing the project, REMPO hopes it can offset annual operating costs by using untapped federal grants from TACK. It expects 20% of total costs to be covered from local sources or other federal programs like Medicaid.

"We feel strongly we can gain a lot of funding from the state and federal government," London said. 

London said by building the transit system slowly, and paying close attention to its needs, they hope to avoid growing too fast then having to roll it back, like TARC.

"What we don't want to have is exactly what they have looking at TARC. We make commitments, and then have to back off of those commitments due to funding costs," London said. 

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