Lake Tahoe, CA/NV—Lake Tahoe transit providers are receiving $8.6 million from the federal CARES Act to help sustain free transit services for the public. Transit services are especially critical to essential workers during this COVID crisis, the agencies said today.
Free public transit serves front-line workers and ensures those living without a car can access basic needs like grocery stores and healthcare. The funding, administered by the Federal Transit Administration, will help the Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and Placer County’s Tahoe-Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) maintain essential transit by allocating $8.6 million to keep services safely operating.
Both TTD and TART have stopped collecting fares and committed to extending free fare service until 2022. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES Act) funds will also cover significant declines in lost transit revenue from sales and gas tax receipts. Transit will remain a critical service to get essential employees to work and is a key part of the recovery effort already underway.
“TART is a vital service in the north Tahoe area,” stated District 5 Supervisor Cindy Gustafson. “The economic and safety impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have created significant operational and budgetary hardships for TART. The CARES Act funding will allow Placer County to offset nearly all of the lost revenue forecast for TART over the next two years, helping keep the transportation system intact.”
“We are redoubling our commitment to transportation and transit,” TRPA Executive Director Joanne S. Marchetta said. “Free transit for all could be a game-changer and these funds are a bridge to improved transportation in the future.” Fare-free transit can also help TRPA’s work to address greenhouse gas emissions, air quality, and other harmful effects of vehicle use in the Tahoe Region.
Tahoe Transportation District Manager Carl Hasty praised the coalition that supported the funds coming to Lake Tahoe. “We are grateful to the Nevada and California delegations, Congress, and the Administration for supporting essential public transit service,” Hasty said. “The CARES Act funds cover our revenue losses and allow us to maintain operations at this critical time. We appreciate the public’s patience and cooperation with our hard-working staff to minimize the risk of infection through practices of social distancing, use of face coverings, and staying home if symptomatic.”
Provided through the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency (TRPA) as the lead transportation planning organization, the funds will:
- Maintain critical transit operations at current levels during the pandemic response and support recovery efforts
- Cover additional expenses related to COVID-19 such as sanitation and workforce support
- Eliminate money handling and fare exchanges to protect the health and safety of drivers and passengers
Lake Tahoe transit agencies are working hard to keep their drivers safe and passengers protected. Stay connected to keep up to date on services and any changes.
For North Shore services, visit TART tahoetruckeetransit.com/
For South Shore and East Shore services, visit TTD tahoetransportation.org/
Tahoe Transportation District contact: Tiara Wasner tiara@ttmcommsgroup.com (775) 589-5500, Ext. 5
TART/Placer County Contact: Will Garner (530) 745-7582 or wgarner@placer.ca.gov
TRPA Contact: Kira Smith (775) 589-5236 or ksmith@trpa.gov
About the Agencies
Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transportation (TART), operated by Placer County, provides public transportation for the Truckee – North Lake Tahoe region. Our goal at TART is to provide a safe and direct means of transportation service for Truckee-Tahoe residents and visitors. We are committed to providing comprehensive, reliable transit service and want our passengers to enjoy a comfortable and pleasant ride.
The Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) is a bi-state agency responsible for the management and implementation of safe, environmentally sound, multi-modal transportation projects and programs in the Lake Tahoe Region, including transit operations. TTD leads multi-jurisdictional infrastructure projects to make travel safer, improve access to recreation, and reduce traffic congestion and private car use. TTD focuses on transit’s pivotal role in improving air and water quality because more than 70 percent of the pollutants impacting Lake Tahoe’s clarity come from transportation system and built environment run-off. TTD has delivered numerous projects to help reduce environmental impacts and address the high demand residents and visitors place on the region’s transportation infrastructure, including transit solutions, roadway and safety enhancements, water quality improvements, and pedestrian/cyclist paths. For more information, please visit TahoeTransportation.org.
The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency leads the cooperative effort to preserve, restore, and enhance the unique natural and human environment of the Lake Tahoe Region, while improving local communities, and people’s interactions with our irreplaceable environment. TRPA is recognized as the Regional Transportation Planning Agency (RTPA) in California and under federal law serves as the Tahoe Metropolitan Planning Organization (TMPO) – the primary transportation planning and financing organization for the Tahoe Region.