LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Dozens of TARC drivers stood in solidarity outside of City Hall on Thursday and called on Metro Council to take action.
"We just want to get transit funds, you know," said Hank Lauffer, a maintenance mechanic at TARC.
Lauffer has worked as a maintenance mechanic for the transit company for 24 years, and he's concerned for his colleagues since the company is facing layoffs in January due to what they call a "fiscal cliff."
"People out of jobs families aren't sure what they're going to do," he said.
TARC projects to exhaust $140 million in COVID funds by summer 2025 with an estimated budget gap as much as $30 million by mid-2026.
Due to financial challenges, service reductions could start as early as June 30, 2024.
This means less routes will be available to riders.
"They're going to go to a Saturday plus schedule so now is it going to interfere with other people's jobs getting to and from," said Lauffer.
If TARC does reduce routes, 19 routes will move to the Saturday plus schedule.
Three routes will be discontinued: #46 National Turnpike #73 West Louisville River Ridge and #74 Chamberlain Lane.
"I'm asking [you all] to be a partner and help with coming up with ways to fund public transit and that's whether that's a ballot referendum or tax referendum," TARC union president Lillian Brents said.
She is counting on Metro Council to help fund TARC. Last month, Mayor Craig Greenberg said laid off TARC drivers could drive for Jefferson County Public Schools (JCPS).
Brents said she was informed TARC and JCPS are still in an ongoing negotiation but she said that's not enough.
"Having an agreement with JCPS still does not resolve the funding issues," she said. "We have a responsibility to the community."
She said transportation is a quality of life.
"Don't take transportation for granted support it financially," said Brents.
TARC will have a public meeting about the proposed route reductions on June 4.
It will be held from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at Union Station.
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