Louisville’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is receiving another $1 million in federal funding to continue frequent bus service for another year on its two most popular routes. Ridership has increased 20 percent on the routes since last February when buses began arriving at stops every 15 minutes from 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. on weekdays. The 20 percent increase is based on ridership for both routes during the first 10 months of the frequent service compared to the same 10 months a year earlier.
TARC received an initial $1 million last year in U.S. Department of Transportation Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program funds authorized by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to add service to the routes as part of a one-year demonstration project.
“This second $1 million for another year reflects the success of frequent bus service and we greatly appreciate the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for authorizing this funding,” said J. Barry Barker, executive director of TARC.
“The significant increase in ridership demonstrates that Louisville will embrace public transportation that is convenient and frequent,” he said. “We have eased crowding on these routes and eliminated the need to check a schedule to know when a bus is arriving.”
The two routes carry 30 percent of TARC’s ridership – 15,500 passengers per day, 2,500 more than before the frequent service began on the core portions of the two routes. Two additional afternoon trips will be added, beginning Jan. 29, to Rt. 18 to alleviate overcrowding.
“Public transportation is vital for access to jobs and educational opportunities,” said Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer, noting that 70 percent of TARC passengers are going to and from work or school. “We’re excited about the success of these routes and look forward to more and better public transportation service in Louisville.”