Free ridership has been extended for Placer County’s Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit through 2027. Photo courtesy of Placer County

KINGS BEACH, CA (MPG) - Residents and visitors in the North Lake Tahoe region can continue to ride for free on Placer County’s Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit for the next two years following approvals at Tuesday's Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting.

The board voted unanimously to extend free-to-the-rider service for an additional two-year period beginning Dec. 12. The board also adopted a resolution approving the TART Systems Plan Update, designed to provide a blueprint for sustainable transit services over the next decade.

The county has offered free ridership since 2016 and allocated nearly $1,150,000 in transient occupancy tax funds in that span to support the free offering. By long-standing county policy, all Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) revenue collected in eastern Placer County is reinvested to benefit eastern Placer County.

In addition to Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT funds), Placer County has been successful in maintaining local partnerships that have financially contributed to the program. Over the past six years, regional partners have contributed nearly $1.4 million, helping offset any reduction in program revenue. 

Providing this free service reduces Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) fare collection annual revenue by approximately $438,000. An annual $275,000 contribution of Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT) funds will be provided for the program through the end of 2027.

This free service helps residents and visitors navigate the region easily and reduces the number of vehicle miles traveled in the region, which is part of a traffic reduction strategy outlined in the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Regional Transportation Plan and Tahoe Basin Area Plan.

Systems Plan Update

Transit agencies are required to prepare short-range transit plans if they receive federal funding or state transportation funds. The Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) Systems Plan was last updated in 2016 and with the board’s approval today, the new 2025 plan will replace the outdated one.

“We looked at routing, operating hours, seasonal service fluctuations and efficiencies between Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART)'s fixed routes, para-transit, as well as our micro-transit service,” said Public Works Manager Jaime Wright. “The new plan will help address any shortcomings, but it depends heavily on the ability to secure local funding and increase staffing levels.”

A study was conducted over the past year to evaluate all transit operations, costs, revenues and new services or projects in the region. The county worked in partnership with the Washoe County Regional Transportation Committee and WSP USA Inc. and LSC Transportation Consultants Inc. to prepare the study. County staff simultaneously engaged with the community to gather feedback. 

A public survey, conducted between Nov. 7, 2024, and Jan. 3, 2025, on both Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) fixed route and Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) Connect micro-transit services, received 363 responses and provided feedback regarding travel patterns, desired transit improvements and usage between services. 

Results indicate the most popular destinations on fixed route service were the routes between Kings Beach and Northstar, Tahoe City and Olympic Valley, and the Town of Truckee and Olympic Valley. Respondents requested more frequent and later service, improved on-time performance and real-time bus information. Survey participants also requested shorter wait times for Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) Connect micro-transit service, later service and improved on-time service.

The new plan identifies many notable recommendations for regional transportation improvements, including:

New 30-minute frequencies on all routes during peak seasons to increase ridership by nearly 153,000 for an additional $2,683,400 million in partnership with the Town of Truckee and Washoe County.

Maintaining the West Shore route as separate and extending it into Tahoe City to increase ridership by roughly 12,000 with an estimated annual cost increase of $24,000.

Extending all Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) fixed routes to provide service between 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. year-round and increase ridership by roughly 19,800 for an estimated additional cost of $499,300.

Implementing potential fares on Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) Connect during times when fixed routes are operating resulting in an estimated gain of $1,190,400.

Expanding Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART) Connect service to Ponderosa, Palisades and Martis Valley to increase ridership by 2,800 for an estimated $48,500.
 
The plan also identifies other investments to enhance the passenger experience, improve cost efficiency and support the deployment of zero-emission buses, including:

Purchasing eight buses, including five battery-electric buses, to move towards an electrification of the fleet.

Purchasing one commercial shuttle vehicle for either para-transit service or West Shore Tahoe City service expansion, as well as one gas van.

Installing zero-emission bus charging infrastructure and supporting upgrades at the Cabin Creek Road facility and the Tahoe City Transit Center.

Adding five new bus shelters and one bench or shelter along state Route 28 at Racoon Street, Secline Street, Chipmunk Street, Estates Drive and Burton Creek, as well as along state Route 267 at Stewart Way.

Developing a bus passenger facilities plan to create an inventory of existing stops in the region and identify improvements to facilities and improve accessibility.

Adding a software platform to provide accurate real-time bus information.

Installing digital real-time bus displays at key shelters, including in Olympic Valley, Northstar Village, Kings Beach and Crystal Bay.

All proposed enhancements will require additional funding totaling $2,064,800 in addition to the current $13.5 million operating budget. Implementation of the plan is subject to funding and updated agreements with partnering jurisdictions.

This update incorporates part of the Regional Transportation Plan, which addresses the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency’s interest in leveraging land use and transportation. The RTP guides project and program design and implementation through goals, policies and projects linked to foreseeable revenues.

Learn more about Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit (TART), Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit Connect and other North Lake Tahoe transportation operations here: https://tahoetruckeetransit.com.