UPCOMING GOTB EVENTS
ALL ARE WELCOME!
Get On The Bus Campaign Meeting
Thursday, October 22 at 6:30pm (Kling Center, 219 W. Ormsby Ave.)
SAVE THE DATE!
Public Transit Panel and Discussion
Thursday, November 12 at 6pm (Bingham Humanities Building, 2216 S. 1st St., Room HM205)
THE CHALLENGE
Simply put, Louisville does not prioritize public transportation. The funding mechanism for the Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is a 0.2% occupational tax ($2 per $1000 earned, and business net profits) and established by a 1974 resolution, then approved by ballot referendum. It has not changed since 1974 despite inflation, wage stagnation, and the introduction of paratransit in the 1990s to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). As a result, over the past several years, TARC has faced repeated multi-million-dollar fiscal cliffs leading to service cuts.
WHY WE FIGHT
Roughly 10% of residents in Louisville do not have access to a car, including workers, students, the elderly and disabled, as well as other vulnerable communities. Riders are essential to the success of our region. Without public transit they face joblessness, financial stress, lack of access to food and healthcare, and social isolation. But public transit is not just for riders—car drivers stand to benefit from a fully funded TARC. More buses and fewer cars mean safer streets and fewer traffic fatalities; more parking and less traffic; cleaner air; and more travel options.
Working-class people deserve robust and reliable public transit. As socialists, we believe freedom of movement is a fundamental human right giving access to fresh food, medical care, social connection, leisure, education, and living-wage jobs. Also, public transit will play a critical role in combating climate change on the local level. Nationally, taking public transportation reduces individual greenhouse gas emissions by 45% to 55% compared to driving alone.
THE WAY FORWARD
The federally funded TARC 2025 Network Redesign, resulted in three plans: Limited, Enhanced, and Growth. Because of lack of funding, TARC implemented the New TARC Network (similar to the Enhanced plan) on August 2, 2026. Routes were changed or elminiated and service reduced, negatively impacted riders across the Louisville area. Jobs and access to essential services have already been lost.
We have a way forward! To fully fund the Growth plan—TARC needs a 0.4% increase in the occupational tax, (an additional $4 per $1,000 earned and business net profits), and business on top of the $2 (0.2%) Jefferson County workers already pay. Per the 1974 resolution, this is a multi-step process involving the TARC Board and Metro Council and leading to a ballot referendum. Louisville DSA is ready to ensure that referendum passes.
Without increased funding by 2030, TARC will have to downgrade to the austere Limited plan—the beginning of the end of TARC as we know it. Join riders, drivers, transit supporters, organizations, the business community, and everyone in between demand action!
OUR DEMAND
We demand that the TARC Board and Louisville Metro Council work together in accordance with the 1974 resolution to put a referendum on the ballot to increase the occupational tax from 0.2% to 0.6% (from $2 to $6 per $1000 earned) to fully fund the TARC 2025 Growth option, as well as paratransit.
GOTB COALITION MEMBERS
(as of August 14, 2026)
What is the GOTB Coalition?
The GOTB Coalition is comprised of unions, non-profits, and other organizations across the Louisvillle area that have a vested interest in robust public transit. This includes neighborhood associations, transit and environmental advocacy groups, student groups, and places of worship. Essentially, any organization that serves working people, especially the most vulnerable among us, is welcome to join!
This coalition is ever-growing and evolving! Does your organization belong on this list? Fill out the form below.
JOIN THE COALITION
(FOR ORGANIZATIONS)
ATTEND OUR NEXT CAMPAIGN MEETING
Attend a monthly campaign meeting to learn more, offer ideas, and volunteer. ALL ARE WELCOME!
MAKE THE TARC BOARD TAKE ACTION
Tell the TARC Board why TARC matters to you and that you would vote YES on a referendum to fund TARC, in-person or by public comment.
USE OUR ORGANIZING TOOLKIT
Check out our regularly updated Organizing Toolkit—it's the best way to keep up with the campaign and take action!
SPREAD THE WORD IN THE COMMUNITY
Download and print our community flyers and hang up around town (anywhere there is a community board!) to spread the word the old-fashioned way,
TELL US YOUR RIDER STORY
Tell us your challenges using TARC and “put a human face” on TARC service cuts. We'll deliver these stories to the local leaders (last name initial only.)
DONATE TO THE CAMPAIGN
Help us pay for campaign lit and other materials to help get the word out about our campaign.
CHALLENGES THAT TARC RIDERS FACE
TARC riders—primarily working class and people of color—are experiencing service cuts and delays, waiting at uncovered, poorly marked stops for buses (if they show up at all!) with outdated technology and inadequate accessibility. Here are some of the challenges they face and what they have to say about TARC and how it impacts their day-to-day lives.
GENERAL TARC INFORMATION
GIVE FEEDBACK OR REPORT A PROBLEM
Call or email TARC Customer Service Call Center:
(502) 585-1234 | TTY: (502) 213-3240 | info@ridetarc.org
Hours of operation: Monday–Friday 6am–8pm, Saturday 7 am–5:30 pm, Sunday closed
APPLY FOR TARC PROGRAMS
FOLLOW TARC ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
FIND TARC FREE PASSES*
*Many locations do require you to be an active participant in their programming:
Louisville, KY
Morton Center
1028 Barret Ave., Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 289-5412
Beulah Presbyterian Church
6704 Bardstown Rd., Louisville, KY 40291
(502) 239-3231
Bridgehaven
950 S 1st St., Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-9444
Cathedral of the Assumption
433 S 5th St. # 101, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 582-2971
Centerstone (Seven Counties)
3717 Taylorsville Rd., Louisville, KY 40220
(502) 459-5292
Central State Hospital Canteen
10510 La Grange Rd., Louisville, KY 40223
(502) 253-7060
Changes Today, Changes Tomorrow
2500 W. Broadway Suite 3, Louisville, KY 40211
(502) 512-2160
Choose Well
930 Mary St., Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 701-2026
Coalition for the Homeless (CFH)
1300 S. 4th St. #250, Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 636-9550
Dismas Charities
Louisville Facility
124 W. Oak St., Louisville, KY
40203 (502) 634-3608
Portland Facility
1501 Lytle St., Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 584-3733
St. Ann Facility
1515 Algonquin Pkwy., Louisville, KY 40210
(502) 637-9150
St. Patrick Facility
1301 W. Market St., Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 587-0356
Family Scholar House
403 Reg Smith Cir., Louisville, KY 40208
(502) 584-8090
Keeping It Real Neighborhood Institute
2900 W. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40211
(502) 379-6699
KY Harm Reduction
721 S. Brook St, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 537-6061
KY Refugee Ministries
969-B Cherokee Rd., Louisville, KY 40204
(502) 479-9180
Louisville Metro
Resilience and Community Services
701 W. Ormsby Ave. #201, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 574-4377
Public Health & Wellness
400 E. Gray St., Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 574-6520
Louisville Urban League
1535 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 585-4622
New Legacy
1115 Garvin Pl, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 276-0660
Play Cousins Collective
2600 W Broadway Suite 205, Louisville, KY 40211
(502) 396-9353
Shawnee Christian Health Center
234 Amy Ave, Louisville, KY 40212
(502) 778-0001
South Louisville Community Ministries
415 1/2 W Ashland Ave, Louisville, KY 40214
(502) 367-6445
Transformative Justice Mental Health clinic
225 N Clifton Ave, Louisville, KY 40206
(502) 496-4928
UofL Peace Hospital
2020 Newburg Rd, Louisville, KY 40205
(502) 451-3330
VOCAL-KY (Voices)
723 S Brook St, Louisville, KY 40203
(502) 676-3157
Wayside Christian Ministries
Jefferson Street Campus
432 East Jefferson St, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 584-3711
Hotel Louisville
120 West Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
(502) 582-2241
New Albany, IN
Floyd County Library
180 W Spring St, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 944-8464
Rauch Industries
845 Park Pl, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 945-4063
New Albany Floyd Co. Public Library
180 W Spring St, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 944-8464
New Albany Housing Authority
300 Erni Ave, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 948-2319
Hope Southern Indiana
1200 Bono Rd, New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 948-9248
IMPROVED WORKER PAY, BENEFITS, AND TRAINING
NO MORE BUS “GHOSTING” AND DELAYS
INCREASED FREQUENCY AND EXPANDED SERVICE
BETTER BUS SHELTERS AND SIGNAGE
ACCESSIBILITY AT EVERY TURN
“BEST-IN-CLASS” TECHNOLOGY
Check out our new monthly podcast on WFMP-LP 106.5 FM Foward Radio covering a variety of topics related to public transit, featuring special guests.
EPISODE 1: Get On The Bus Campaign Overview and Update
(September 2026)
Find all episodes at www.forwardradio.org
TARC prepares to cut service, passes new budget that addresses ‘fiscal cliff’ (whas11.com, April 15, 2024)
Greenberg says TARC layoffs are an ‘opportunity’ to solve JCPS transportation woes (lpm.org, April 15, 2024)
TARC Board Passes FY 25 Budget That Includes Service Reductions Effective January 2025 (ridetarc.org, April 16, 2024)
TARC workers’ union protests Louisville’s looming bus service, driver cuts (lpm.org, May 1, 2024)
TARC riders speak out against bus service changes and reductions (lpm.org, June 5, 202)
‘Makes you feel trapped’: TARC service changes hit riders and businesses (lpm.org, July 3, 2024)
TARC proposes service reductions, changes to begin in January 2025 (wave3.com, October 29, 2024)
Louisville mayor recommending $16M budget surplus go toward police, fire, and EMS equipment (wlky.com, November 18, 2024)
Get On The Bus in the News! TARC is driving toward a 'fiscal cliff.' What lies ahead for public transit in Louisville (Louisville Courier-Journal, January 26, 2025)
What is 'TARC 2025'? What to know about the public transit network redesign in Louisville (Louisville Courier-Journal, January 27, 2025)
