TARC Bus Schedule: Routes, Times & Stops
TARC bus schedule searches should start with the official Transit Authority of River City tools because Louisville’s bus network changed with the New TARC Network. Routes, route numbers, bus stops, and schedules can be different from older maps or saved screenshots.
This guide explains how to find current TARC routes, check bus times, understand ticket prices, use MyTARC or MyTARC Mobile, track live arrivals, read Rider Alerts, and plan trips around the Downtown Transfer Center.
How to Find the Current TARC Bus Schedule
To find a current TARC bus schedule, use TARC’s official route tools with your starting address, stop, or landmark, your destination, travel date, and preferred depart/arrive time. Then confirm the route number, branch letter, stop side, fare method, live arrival, and any Rider Alerts before leaving.
Use address, stop, landmark, or current location.
Choose your exact destination, not only a neighborhood.
Select depart-at or arrive-by with your travel date.
Some routes use A/B/C branches with different paths.
Live times can change due to traffic or detours.
TARC Bus Schedule Guide
Use the Official TARC Trip Planner First
TARC’s routes page includes a trip-planning form where riders can enter a start point, end point, travel date, time, and whether they want to depart at or arrive by a certain time. This is better than guessing from an old route PDF because it reflects the current route network.
What Changed for TARC Riders in 2026?
The New TARC Network became active on August 2, 2026. TARC describes the change as a redesigned Louisville bus network with new routes, new route numbers, new schedules, new stops, and a temporary Downtown Transfer Center at Muhammad Ali Boulevard and 8th Street.
Current TARC Route Groups and Major Corridors
TARC groups current routes by typical service level. Exact departure times still depend on your stop, direction, date, and alerts, but the service group helps riders understand which routes usually run more often.
| Service group | Routes listed by TARC | Major areas and rider notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15-minute service | 1 Broadway–Bardstown, 3 Market–Preston, 4 4th Street–New Cut, 10 Dixie Highway, 94 Cardinal Shuttle | Core corridors include Broadway, Bardstown Road, Market Street, Preston Highway, 4th Street, New Cut, Dixie Highway, Downtown Louisville, UofL, and major shopping/employment areas. Route 94 is tied to UofL semester service. |
| 30-minute service | 5 Portland–Poplar Level, 8 Taylor–Westport, 20 Algonquin–Eastern | Useful for Portland, Shelby Park, Germantown, Newburg, St. Matthews, Westport Road, Park DuValle, UofL, Bellarmine, Hikes Point, and Jeffersontown corridors. |
| 60-minute service | 71 Downtown Louisville–New Albany, 72 Downtown Louisville–Clarksville, 76 Downtown Louisville–Jeffersonville, 81 Downtown–Zorn | These routes are important for Southern Indiana, New Albany, Clarksville, Jeffersonville, Brownsboro Road, and Zorn Avenue trips. Arrive early because missing an hourly route can mean a long wait. |
| Limited trip service | 57 Bashford Manor–Hurstbourne, 93 UPS UofL Shuttle, 99 UPS West Louisville | These routes may run only on selected days or for specific employment/campus travel windows. Check the official schedule for weekday, Saturday, semester, and shift-based service details. |
How to Read TARC Bus Times Correctly
A printed or downloaded TARC schedule is useful, but it is not the same as a live arrival. Scheduled time is the planned time. Live time can change because of traffic, detours, events, stop changes, weather, operator availability, or real-time data issues.
TARC Fare: Cash, MyTARC Card, Mobile Tickets and Passes
TARC local fixed-route fare is simple at the single-ride level, but transfer rules depend on how you pay. Cash riders need exact change and do not receive transfer trips. MyTARC card and MyTARC Mobile riders can receive transfer trips within two hours of initial boarding.
Cash fare does not include transfer trips. Drivers do not issue paper transfers.
Tap the card on the fare box. Digital transfers are available within two hours of first boarding.
Buy in the app, activate before boarding, and scan the QR code on the farebox.
Useful if you will ride multiple times in one day and want simpler boarding.
Useful for weekly commuters, students, visitors, or work trips over several days.
Often best for frequent riders who use TARC for work, school, appointments, or daily errands.
Available for eligible youth, seniors, Medicare cardholders, and riders with disabilities with required ID/card rules.
Children ages 5 and under ride fare-free on TARC routes according to the fare page.
TARC3 is a separate ADA paratransit service for eligible riders and is not the same as fixed-route bus service.
TARC Stops: Confirm the Stop Side, Route Branch and Direction
Because TARC changed many stops in the New TARC Network, riders should not rely on memory alone. Confirm the stop ID, stop side, route branch, and destination direction before waiting.
Example Map: Downtown Louisville Transfer Area
The New TARC Network uses a Downtown Transfer Center around Muhammad Ali Boulevard and 8th Street. This map is only a planning visual. Always use TARC’s official route page, stop details, and Rider Alerts for the current boarding bay or temporary relocation.
- Check the exact route and branch before walking.
- Confirm your downtown bay or stop side.
- Use live arrival before leaving a nearby building.
- Allow extra time if transferring between routes.
Scheduled Time vs Live TARC Arrival
Scheduled time is the planned timetable. Live arrival is a same-day prediction based on real-time vehicle information where available. Traffic, road work, weather, detours, event crowds, stop relocations, operator issues, and tracker outages can change the actual arrival.
Use TARC’s route page, Google Maps, or Transit App.
Search the route number and branch if needed.
Choose exact stop, not just a nearby landmark.
Look for detours, missed stops, or temporary bays.
Refresh before leaving because live times can change.
Check TARC Rider Alerts Before You Leave
TARC Rider Alerts can include route detours, stop changes, downtown bay relocations, real-time information outages, weather impacts, construction impacts, and service updates. This matters because a bus can still be running while your normal stop is temporarily moved.
Accessibility, Reduced Fare and TARC3 Paratransit
TARC accessibility planning has two parts: fixed-route bus access and TARC3 ADA paratransit eligibility. Fixed-route riders should check stop conditions, curb access, sidewalk conditions, temporary stop moves, and route alerts. TARC3 is a separate door-to-door shared-ride service for eligible riders who cannot use regular buses because of functional limitations.
TARC Boarding Checklist
- Open the official TARC routes and schedules page.
- Enter your start point, destination, date, and time.
- Confirm the route number and branch letter.
- Check whether you need the Downtown Transfer Center.
- Verify your exact stop, stop side, and direction.
- Check fare method: cash, MyTARC card, or MyTARC Mobile.
- Use MyTARC or mobile ticket for transfer benefits when possible.
- Check real-time arrival shortly before leaving.
- Open Rider Alerts for detours, missed stops, or temporary bay changes.
- Plan your return trip separately, especially at night or on lower-frequency routes.
Official TARC Sources
Use these official pages to confirm current TARC schedules, routes, fares, MyTARC details, real-time information, Rider Alerts, and accessibility services. This article is a rider guide; the official TARC pages control current operational details.
Official route list, trip planning form, map/schedule details, service spans, and schedule downloads.
Open TARC routesExplains 2026 route changes, new route numbers, stop changes, major corridors, and Downtown Transfer Center details.
Open New TARC NetworkCash fare, MyTARC card fare, passes, reduced fare, transfer rules, and eligibility information.
Open fare structureMobile ticketing details, Token Transit setup, QR code boarding, standard passes, and transfer window rules.
Open MyTARC MobileCard tapping, stored value, reloading, digital transfers, replacement cards, and reduced fare card information.
Open MyTARC cardTARC’s recommended live-arrival tools include Google Maps, Transit App, and TARC real-time feeds.
Open real-time infoCurrent route alerts, detours, stop changes, temporary bay moves, and service updates.
Open Rider AlertsADA paratransit eligibility, reservations, cancellations, visitor rules, fare guide, and service overview.
Open TARC3TARC Bus Schedule FAQs
How do I find the TARC bus schedule?
Use the official TARC routes and schedules page. Enter your starting point, destination, travel date, and time, then confirm the route number, direction, stop, and live arrival before leaving.
Did TARC routes change in 2026?
Yes. The New TARC Network became active on August 2, 2026, with new routes, route numbers, schedules, stops, and a Downtown Transfer Center. Older route information may no longer be correct.
How much is a TARC bus fare?
TARC local fixed-route fare is $2.25 for a cash single ride, MyTARC card stored value ride, or MyTARC Mobile single ride. Cash requires exact change and does not include transfers.
Does TARC cash fare include transfers?
No. TARC cash fare does not include transfer trips, and drivers do not issue paper transfers. Use MyTARC card or MyTARC Mobile for the standard two-hour digital transfer window.
What TARC passes are available?
TARC lists local passes including a 24-hour pass, 7-day pass, and 30-day pass. Passes start with first use, so confirm the current price and rules on the fare page before buying.
Which TARC routes run most often?
TARC lists core routes such as 1 Broadway–Bardstown, 3 Market–Preston, 4 4th Street–New Cut, and 10 Dixie Highway in the higher-frequency group. Check the exact route page for your stop and direction.
Can I track TARC buses live?
Yes. TARC recommends real-time tools including Google Maps, Transit App, and TARC’s route and schedule pages. Real-time information can change or temporarily go down, so check Rider Alerts too.
Where is the Downtown Transfer Center for TARC?
TARC describes the temporary Downtown Transfer Center as being at Muhammad Ali Boulevard and 8th Street. Check Rider Alerts before travel because bays or stops may temporarily change.
What is TARC3?
TARC3 is TARC’s ADA paratransit service for eligible riders who do not have the functional capability to use regular fixed-route buses. It is a separate shared-ride service with its own eligibility and reservation process.
How early should I arrive for a TARC bus?
Arrive 5–10 minutes early for most TARC stops. Use 10–15 minutes for transfers, hourly routes, unfamiliar stops, bad weather, events, or when checking a new stop after the network change.