News
TARC Board Approves Fare Schedule Updates Following Public Engagement and Title VI Review
February 24, 2026Updated fares approved after extensive public review and feedback.
Louisville, KY (February 24, 2026) – The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) Board of Directors has approved updates to the agency’s fare schedule following an extensive public engagement and federally required Title VI review process. The updated fares will take effect on March 2, 2026.
The fare review, the first conducted since 2012, was designed to gather meaningful input from riders, community members and stakeholders before any decision was made. Over several weeks, TARC hosted eight public meetings, collected written and online feedback, and engaged directly with riders across the system, including dedicated outreach focused on paratransit users and communities most impacted by potential changes. TARC also completed a Title VI equity analysis, as required by the Federal Transit Administration, to evaluate whether the proposed fare adjustments would disproportionately affect minority or low-income populations.
Throughout the process, TARC focused on transparency and accessibility by providing multiple opportunities for public comment and incorporating feedback into the final recommendation presented to the Board. The Board carefully reviewed the results of the engagement process and the Title VI analysis before voting to approve the updated fare schedule.
“The Board’s decision follows a thorough public review and careful consideration of the public’s input,” said Abbie Gilbert, Board Chairperson. “Our role is to make sure TARC remains financially stable and able to serve the region for years to come. This step reflects a balance between keeping public transit affordable and making sure the system remains sustainable and reliable for the community.”
The updated fares are part of TARC’s broader effort to maintain long-term, reliable and sustainable transit service as the agency prepares for the launch of the New TARC Network on August 2, 2026. The redesigned network is intended to provide more frequent service, simpler routes, and improved connections across the region, supporting greater access to jobs, education, and community destinations.
“We recognize that any fare change impacts our riders, and we approached this decision with that understanding front and center,” said Ozzy Gibson, TARC Executive Director. “This update helps us protect the reliability of our service and continue preparing for the launch of the New TARC Network in August. Our focus remains on delivering a system that is dependable, easy to navigate and better connected to the jobs and opportunities our community relies on every day.”
When will the fare increase take effect?
March 2, 2026.
Why is TARC increasing fare now?
- It’s been since 2012 since we made a fare adjustment. Like every other organization, TARC is facing increased costs. Whether it’s labor, maintenance, pension, health insurance, or fleet costs, it’s all going up.
- Under the recommendation, fares for fixed-route and paratransit services would be adjusted to align more closely with those of neighboring transit agencies including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Nashville—all of whom have seen an additional funding surplus provided by their local governments.
- Raising fares doesn’t fix everything (it doesn’t resolve the fiscal cliff alone), but it will help support the new TARC network that will launch later this year, and more sustainable operations moving forward.
Why is TARC eliminating the 10-trip pass?
The 10-trip pass was used by less than 1% of ridership and TARC is eliminating this pass as part of a long-term goal to modernize and simplify the fare structure. Sales of this pass will end on March 2, 2026 but any previously purchased 10-trip pass will continue to be honored after this date until all 10-trips have been redeemed.
What happens to the passes on my MyTARC card once the fare increase goes into effect?
Any passes or stored valued that currently reside on your card, will continue to function the same.
Will my unused TARC3 tickets continue to be honored?
TARC will continue to accept previously purchased TARC3 tickets for 60 days after the effective date of March 2, 2026 (ending May 2, 2026).
During the 60-day grace period (March 2 – May 2), TARC3 riders have 2 options:
- Use all your previously purchased passes
- Bring any unredeemed TARC3 passes to Union Station and place their value towards the purchase of new TARC3 tickets. (e.g. an unredeemed TARC3 ticket has a value of $3 which can be used toward the purchase of a new TARC3 ticket with a value of $4.50, meaning that you only pay the difference of $1.50 for the new TARC3 ticket).
What happens to my old TARC3 tickets after the 60-day window?
Beginning May 3, 2026, old TARC3 tickets will no longer be accepted.
I was told fare changes wouldn’t help the fiscal cliff, why are TARC3 fares being raised?
- Federal guidelines allow paratransit fares to be up to twice the fixed-route fare.
- Raising fares alone will not solve the $30 million fiscal cliff discussed during the TARC2025 process last year. However, regular assessments of the fare structure is part of a healthy transit agency, and can help to offset some agency costs, like pension and medical.