Barker Outlines TARC Cuts to Council Committee

by Stephanie CrosbyLouisville’s public transit chief appeared before a Metro Council committee this afternoon to outline proposed cuts coming in the summer.TARC Executive Director Barry Barker says a five-million dollar budget shortfall has the agency considering eliminating 20 routes and making service reductions to 17 others.They held public meetings on the changes last week. Barker told the council’s transportation committee they are doing the best they can.“I’ve been approached by groups for the various express routes who have said what if we go get a private operator to do this? And I said God bless," said Barker. "If somebody can figure out how to make the economies work, God bless everybody.”The sharp decline in revenue for the agency is because of a dip in occupational taxes because of high unemployment rates.TARC’s board could take action on the proposals next week. If approved, the change would take place June first.