Federal CARES Act sends $8.6M to help free Lake Tahoe transit services

LAKE TAHOE, Calif./Nev. - Lake Tahoe transit providers Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) and Tahoe‐Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) will be getting a boost from the federal government after they received word that $8.6 million form the CARES Act is headed their way. Transit services are especially critical to essential workers during this COVID crisis, the agencies said today.

These funds will help sustain free transit services for the public.

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 TTD and TART maintain essential transit keep services safely operating.

Both TTD and TART 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/