TARC Board Expected To Vote On Cuts Monday

by Gabe BullardThe Transit Authority of River City's board of directors will meet at 8:30 Monday morning to consider proposed service reductions.To shore up a five million dollar shortfall, TARC officials proposed in February to eliminate 20 bus routes and reduce service on 17 others. The cuts would also mean 72 layoffs for mechanics and drivers.Hearings were held on the cuts this month, and TARC officials say some changes were made to the proposal in reaction to public comment, but they wouldn't say what exactly was changed. The board is expected to vote on the proposal at the meeting. If approved, the cuts will go into effect on June 6th.Previous service cuts went into effect last month. TARC's budget relies on occupational tax, and officials say aside from federal support, higher employment across the city is the only solution to the authority's budget woes.Routes proposed to be cut:#1 – Fourth Street Trolley#12 – Twelfth Street#22 – Twenty-Second Street#35 – Indian Trail-Hikes Lane#37X – Iroquois-Fairdale Express#38X – Deering Express#45X – Okolona Express#49X – Westport Road#50X – Dixie Express#53X – Breckenridge Express#54X – Manslick Express#58 – Bashford Manor-Oxmoor#59 – River Road#61X – Plainview#64X -  Fincastle-Forest Springs Express#66X – Mount Washington Express#68X – Prospect Express#73X – Charlestown Road Express#75 – Bluegrass Industrial Shuttle#80 – Hurstbourne ParkwayRoutes proposed for frequency reduction, shortened service or routing change:#2 – Second Street#4 – Fourth Street#6 – Sixth Street#17 – Bardstown Road#18 – Preston-18th#19 – Muhammad Ali#21 – Chestnut Street#23 – Broadway#25 – Oak Street#27 – Hill Street#29 – Eastern Parkway#31 – Middletown#40X – Jeffersontown Express#52 – Medical Center Circulator#62 – Breckenridge-Shepherdsville#67X – Oldham I-71 Express#72 – Clarksville-New Albany#77 – Main-Market Trolley#78X – Downtown/Bluegrass Express