<html class="apple-mail-supports-explicit-dark-mode"><head><meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8"></head><body dir="auto"><blockquote type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote gmail_quote_container">Hi everyone,<br><div dir="ltr"><div><br></div><div>As I'm sure everyone has seen, the TARC Board of Directors yesterday voted to raise fares. The new fare cost will go into effect on Monday, March 2nd. Standard fare will be $2.25, Senior fare $1.00, and TARC3 $4.50. TARC has provided an FAQ that covers how long riders can use current tickets and how to trade them in if necessary. This can be found at: <a href="https://www.ridetarc.org/2026fare/" target="_blank">https://www.ridetarc.org/2026fare/</a> I will also paste the FAQ section at the bottom of this email as well. </div><div><br></div><div>Thank you,</div><div>Katie Adkins</div><div>Vice President, National Federation of the Blind of Greater Louisville</div><div><br></div><div><b>FAQ</b></div><div><b>When will the fare increase take effect?</b><br><br>March 2, 2026.<br><br><b>Why is TARC increasing fare now?</b><br><br>It\u2019s been since 2012 since we made a fare adjustment. Like every other organization, TARC is facing increased costs. Whether it\u2019s labor, maintenance, pension, health insurance, or fleet costs, it\u2019s all going up.<br>Under the recommendation, fares for fixed-route and paratransit services would be adjusted to align more closely with those of neighboring transit agencies including Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and Nashville\u2014all of whom have seen an additional funding surplus provided by their local governments.<br>Raising fares doesn\u2019t fix everything (it doesn\u2019t resolve the fiscal cliff alone), but it will help support the new TARC network that will launch later this year, and more sustainable operations moving forward.<br><b>Why is TARC eliminating the 10-trip pass?</b><br><br>The 10-trip pass was used by less than 1% of ridership and TARC is eliminating this pass as part of a long-term goal to modernize and simplify the fare structure. Sales of this pass will end on March 2, 2026 but any previously purchased 10-trip pass will continue to be honored after this date until all 10-trips have been redeemed.<br><br><b>What happens to the passes on my MyTARC card once the fare increase goes into effect?<br></b><br>Any passes or stored valued that currently reside on your card, will continue to function the same.<br><br><b>Will my unused TARC3 tickets continue to be honored?</b><br><br>TARC will continue to accept previously purchased TARC3 tickets for 60 days after the effective date of March 2, 2026 (ending May 2, 2026).<br><br>During the 60-day grace period (March 2 \u2013 May 2), TARC3 riders have 2 options:<br><br>Use all your previously purchased passes<br>Bring any unredeemed TARC3 passes to Union Station and place their value towards the purchase of new TARC3 tickets. (e.g. an unredeemed TARC3 ticket has a value of $3 which can be used toward the purchase of a new TARC3 ticket with a value of $4.50, meaning that you only pay the difference of $1.50 for the new TARC3 ticket).<br><b>What happens to my old TARC3 tickets after the 60-day window?</b><br><br>Beginning May 3, 2026, old TARC3 tickets will no longer be accepted.<br><br><b>I was told fare changes wouldn\u2019t help the fiscal cliff, why are TARC3 fares being raised?</b><br><br>Federal guidelines allow paratransit fares to be up to twice the fixed-route fare.<br>Raising fares alone will not solve the $30 million fiscal cliff discussed during the TARC2025 process last year. However, regular assessments of the fare structure is part of a healthy transit agency, and can help to offset some agency costs, like pension and medical.</div></div>
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