Tahoe Transportation District relaunches East Shore Express for 2022 Summer season

LAKE TAHOE, Nev. - The popular East Shoe Express Shuttle service returns this summer, beginning June 25. The free transit line provides beachgoers and trail users recreation access from Incline Village, along SR28 to Sand Harbor Lake Tahoe State Park, and back again.

Last year, TTD had to suspend the East Shore Express due to a staffing shortage on the heels of COVID-19 pandemic service suspensions.

The service runs a continuous loop daily, including holidays, from the old Incline Village school site at 771 Southwood Boulevard to Sand Harbor State Park on State Route 28.

“The East Shore Express was one of our fastest-growing routes pre-pandemic and we are excited to return this summer,” said TTD District Manager Carl Hasty. “Highway 28 is one of the more hazardous roads in Lake Tahoe and we’re proud to be part of the solution to help folks navigate more safely.”

Since its beginning in 2012, the route has seen exponential growth, with nearly 40,000 riders in 2019.

There are 13 partner agencies that work together to implement transportation solutions and manage the SR28 Corridor, a high-demand recreation area.

“Our main goal is to reach the basin’s collective environmental goals and improve Lake clarity by improving the transportation options at Lake Tahoe and across the region,” said Hasty. “We are currently working to deliver services such as the East Shore Express that continue to reduce congestion through the region during peak months.”

TTD is encouraging all visitors to Lake Tahoe to consider leaving their cars and using transit to better enjoy the basin safely. In coordination with Nevada Division of State Parks and the Regional Transportation Commission of Washoe County (Washoe RTC), as well as Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) and the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association (TNT-TMA), TTD is asking everyone to download and use the Transit App to access Tahoe’s public transportation.

Schedules and additional information for TART services can be found at TahoeTruckeeTransit.com. In addition, riders can download the TART Connect App for seamless curb-to-curb rides and transfers to the mainline bus system on the North Shore or set Google Maps settings to the public transportation setting this summer and enjoy free bus services into and throughout the Lake Tahoe Basin.

Before planning a day trip to Sand Harbor, TTD and Nevada State Parks are asking would-be visitors to check the State Parks Facebook page to see if parking is available. In recent years, the lots have filled quickly causing traffic jams on the already congested narrow highway. For frequent updates, you can go to their Facebook page.

Next year, Nevada State Parks will be adding a reservation system for parking at Sand Harbor as another tool to reduce the traffic on SR28.