LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro Council heard from leadership at Louisville's public transit system on Thursday as it attempted to make up for budget shortfalls.
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) has said they will need to make cuts, impacting dozens of routes as early as the end of June, to meet expected expenses.
But the changes will not affect its four busiest routes: 4th Street, Dixie Rapid, Broadway and Preston Highway. It also will not impact TARC3.
However, there will be fewer routes available to riders and fewer buses running.
Without cuts, TARC said the budget gap could be as much as $20 million by 2026.
"These are hard times for anyone who's working at TARC," Alex Posorske with TARC said. "We're all in this because we believe very deeply in public service and the mission of getting the community where they need to go. And none of us like the idea of making cuts. It's not why we got into this line of work. So we are resolved to move forward and to work with the community."
Because of the cuts to routes and busses, some drivers will need to be laid off.
As a result, the department is seeking the community's input so they can plan out the frequency of ridership across the Metro.
On June 7, TARC officials unanimously approved a resolution to lease 70 employees who will transport Jefferson County Public School (JCPS) students to and from school.
JCPS and TARC announced the agreement on June 3.
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