JCPS will end its partnership with Transit Authority of River City (TARC) due to the $188 million budget deficit. Their relationship began two years ago to help the district address the shortage of bus drivers and restore busing to magnet programs. It also prevented TARC from laying off employees.
“The agreement between JCPS and TARC was extremely successful over the past 2 years. Tarc came to our side when they needed them most. Now that the agreement has run its course, JCPS is in a better place with the amount of drivers we have. The need is simply not there anymore and we thank Tarc for their tremendous partnership over the last 2 years,” Board Member Taylor Everett said.
The district currently employs 14 TARC drivers. TARC expects the drivers to resume driving for their organization again. JCPS officials said students will not be impacted by the cut, and the busing to six magnet schools will continue.
“Due to the District’s budget deficit, we have decided to end the partnership with TARC. Students will not be impacted under our current plan. We are maintaining the number of drivers needed to ensure on-time service under our current delivery plan. However, it would affect future additional services or our ability to restore old services,” said Chief Communications and Community Relations Officer Carolyn Callahan.
TARC released a statement at the end of the partnership: “TARC is proud of the two-year partnership we built with JCPS to help connect students to their schools. As the two year contract comes to a close at the end of the 2025-2026 school year, we’re excited to welcome those dedicated drivers back to TARC, where they’ll have the opportunity to serve our community through the New TARC Network.”
