Louisville Metro Council is set to consider an ordinance that would direct as much as $2 million in federal funding toward improving the city’s Transit Authority of River City (TARC) bus stops. Councilman Jeff Hudson, representing District 23, introduced the measure during a recent council meeting, emphasizing the need to restore transit infrastructure that was reduced during the agency’s 2024 network redesign.
Why the ordinance matters for local riders
Earlier this summer, TARC rolled out a redesigned network that altered routes, eliminated several stops and changed service frequency. While the changes were intended to address the agency’s financial challenges, riders have reported mixed results. “Some of the routes are great,” said longtime rider Charlie Brown, “and some of them, it can be quite some time to get to your destination.”
What the funding would cover
Hudson explained that the federal money would be used to relocate benches and shelters from eliminated stops and to fund the construction of brand‑new stops, primarily within Louisville’s Urban Services District. “Those benches and coverings from those eliminated TARC spots are going to be relocated,” he said. “This money is going to help pay for that, and it’s also going to pay for the creation of totally new TARC stops.”
Impact on housing development
The councilman also warned that the loss of public transportation could hinder future housing projects. Under the city’s land development code, new residential developments must provide access to public transit. “Don’t come looking in District 23 for any new apartments, because one of the land‑code requirements is access to public transit, and we no longer have transit out here,” Hudson noted.
Council’s next steps
The ordinance will be presented as new business at Thursday’s Metro Council meeting. If approved, the funding would help TARC strengthen its infrastructure and could eventually allow the agency to expand service beyond the Urban Services District. “I think this is a step in the right direction,” Hudson said. “Getting TARC corrected will help make them healthier, and then eventually, I hope they can expand the routes back out into the non‑Urban Services District.”
Community response
Local residents and business owners have expressed support for the proposal, citing the importance of reliable transit for daily commutes, access to jobs and the overall vitality of neighborhoods that have lost service. While some riders remain cautious about the pace of improvements, the prospect of new benches, shelters and stops is widely welcomed as a tangible step toward restoring confidence in Louisville’s public‑transport system.
As the council debates the ordinance, the city’s transit future hangs in the balance, with federal dollars poised to play a pivotal role in rebuilding the network that many Louisville families rely on.
Original reporting: WLKY Louisville — read the source article.
