Transit Authority of River City (TARC) has finalized a series of significant service reductions and route changes, set to take effect on Sunday, January 26, 2025.
The changes, which impact 11 routes, are part of an ongoing effort to improve service reliability while addressing the agency’s projected fiscal challenges.
Key Service Changes
The most notable adjustments involve the merging and rerouting of several routes. Route #22 (Twenty-Second Street) will be absorbed into the #18 Dixie Highway, and Route #63 (Crums Lane) will merge into the #29 Eastern Parkway. These changes mean:
- #18 Dixie Highway: Will terminate in the Portland neighborhood, requiring riders to transfer to reach downtown Louisville.
- #29 Eastern Parkway: Will expand to include areas currently served by #63 Crums Lane, improving service coverage for neighborhoods near Pleasure Ridge High School.
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Other notable changes include:
- Discontinuation of Route #52 Medical Center Circulator: Passengers will need to rely on other downtown routes to travel through the LOUMED District.
- #17 Bardstown Road will now end at the intersection of Eastern Parkway and Bardstown Road, requiring transfers for downtown travel.
- #25 Oak-Westport Connection will see reduced coverage at its western and eastern ends.
- #29 Eastern Parkway and #18 Dixie Highway will cover areas previously served by other routes.
- Reduced frequency on #4 Fourth Street and #10 Dixie Rapid (from every 15 minutes to every 20 minutes).
- Increased frequency on #25 Oak-Westport Connection (every 60 minutes), #29 Eastern Parkway (every 50 minutes), and #40 Taylorsville Road (every 70 minutes).
Schedule adjustments will also affect routes #6 Sixth Street, #15 Market Street, and #21 Chestnut Street.
According to TARC, the service adjustments made over the last year aim to address two critical priorities:
Reliability Improvements: TARC has faced ongoing issues with maintaining consistent service due to staffing shortages and low ridership on some routes. The changes aim to streamline operations, ensuring better on-time performance and fewer disruptions.
Financial Sustainability: TARC projects a $30 million budget deficit by FY 2027 if no action is taken. These service reductions are expected to save $4 million annually, helping stabilize the agency’s finances.
“Above all, TARC needs to ensure reliable, predictable service and to ensure long-term financial sustainability,” said Ozzy Gibson, TARC Executive Director in a press release. “These changes are necessary to accomplish those goals.”
The January service changes are part of a larger network redesign initiative, known as the TARC 2025 project. This process, still in development, seeks to reimagine Louisville’s public transit system to better meet modern needs. Final plans for the project are expected by this summer.
For more details on the January 2025 service adjustments, visit TARC’s website.
This article appears in Jan 17-30, 2025.
