LOUISVILLE, Ky. — It's the halfway point for Louisville residents to weigh in on TARC 2025 concepts.
The three different bus route concepts envision a future of public transit in Louisville.
Some TARC riders WHAS11 spoke with Thursday generally feel the inner city buses are "very frequent and very reliable," said TARC rider Cameron Paul.
"I'm pleased with the TARC people," said another rider, Preston Ritter, who rides TARC buses five days a week.
Others said they are seeing the community struggle with cuts to public transit.
"Now that they start cutting off everything, we can't get around," said Louisville resident Poppa Fenwick.
TARC is gearing up for changes to bus routes in Louisville as they are faced with a $30 million budget deficit.
"The concepts that ask, 'What should TARC look like if TARC can't find additional revenue?" said Alex Posorske, TARC communications director. "'What could TARC look like if they can't find additional revenue, and is that worth it for TARC?'"
The top pick is the "Growth Concept." It would offer 12% more resources to Louisville neighborhoods, but require consistent local or state funding.
"That means best of both worlds," Paul said. He said he's a lifelong TARC customer.
He said with the "Coverage Concept" -- that keeps bus stops in as broad area as possible -- one bus an hour won't cut it.
"You have to plan your schedule around taking the TARC, and not around your schedule," Paul said.
With the "Ridership Concept," Paul said it's only practical for those traveling the inner city because of the frequency of buses.
It's the one he prefers.
"You can't afford to lose that frequency," Paul said.
The plans the suggest decreasing services by 50% -- compared to services running in spring 2024 -- means some regions won't see the same resources, Posorske said.
"Equity has to be a big and central part of what TARC looks at moving forward," Posorske said.
Fenwick is not a TARC rider, but he appeared at the Shepard Square Residents Association and supported residents at a community TARC meeting.
"It ain't right man," Fenwick said. "We need TARC, and TARC needs to step up."
TARC continued to field questions from community members at their near daily meetings. Posorske said there are over 100 community feedback meetings in phase one.
TARC has called on residents to continue to give feedback at its community presentations and take their online survey.
After this summer, TARC will move into phase two which includes drafting a proposal.
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