News

TARC unveils the final recommendation for the New TARC Network

September 23, 2025

Louisville, Ky. (September 23, 2025)— Today, TARC staff will release the final recommendations from the TARC 2025 planning process at the September TARC Board of Directors meeting. The highlight will be the unveiling of the recommended New TARC Network which includes major changes to most TARC bus routes and schedules.

TARC plans to implement the New TARC Network in August 2026. No major service changes are planned before then as the TARC team works to prepare for the introduction of the new network. TARC riders will have many months to learn about the changes and prepare for them.

“The New TARC Network is a core part of the new TARC,” said TARC Executive Director Ozzy Gibson. “The New TARC Network will be better than the current system we have, and deliver on the most important customer priorities while allowing TARC to continue to reduce costs and address the fiscal challenges facing the agency.”

What does this mean for Louisville? 

  • The New TARC Network will bring big changes to where TARC buses go and how often they come. The changes will mean a simpler and more efficient bus network that better delivers top community priorities for more frequent service.
  • Most TARC customers will see faster, more reliable service and will be able to access the bus at their current stop or one very close by; on average stops will be three blocks apart instead of the current 1-2 blocks.
  • Downtown transfers will be faster and smoother, thanks to a new timed-transfer hub or “pulse” system—the first time this will be used in the history of TARC.
  • Some customers will have to walk a little bit further to get to the bus, some will see reduced service, and a few will no longer have service.
  • All customers will need to learn the new route-numbering system and map. The system and map will be different, but much simpler and more useful for the average rider.

Why is TARC changing?

  • Existing local and state dollars for transit are not enough to pay for current levels of service.
  • With the previous service cuts, the coming New TARC Network implementation, and other changes in the organization, TARC believes that it has pushed out the fiscal cliff to the FY29 or FY 30 budget years.
  • TARC also launched the TARC 2025 process in June 2024 to work directly with the community to create an updated transit network that would best meet Louisville’s priorities and needs within the reality of the money that’s available to the agency – and best position the agency to avoid more service cuts in the future.
  • Over many months and two rounds of outreach during the TARC 2025 process, TARC presented options and gathered feedback from over 300 community meetings, events and workshops. The New TARC Network is the end result.

What’s next?