Lack of long-term funding halts successful transportation program for the residents and visitors of Nevada’s Lake Tahoe North Shore
TART Connect’s microtransit service in Zone 3, serving the Nevada communities of Incline Village and Crystal Bay, will cease operations on December 11 due to a lack of stable, long-term funding. The on-demand, curb-to-curb shuttle program has been one of the region’s most successful mobility initiatives, providing more than one million rides across the North Lake Tahoe region since its launch and helping address traffic, pollution and parking concerns by making it easier to move around car free; 65% of TART Connect ridership is full time residents.
“TART Connect has been an invaluable resource for our community, reducing traffic, supporting our workforce and improving overall quality of life,” said Alexis Hill, Chair of the Washoe County Commission and Chair of RTC Washoe. “While it is deeply frustrating that this service has to cease due to inadequate resources, we will continue fighting for sustainable funding solutions. I want to thank every committed partner, government, business and rider that has helped make this service possible to date.”
Funding for TART Connect in Nevada has long relied on a patchwork of short-term commitments from multiple organizations, without a consistent, ongoing revenue stream to sustain and expand the program. Funding has come from numerous Nevada sources, including Washoe County, RTC Washoe, Travel North Tahoe Nevada, the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority, the Tahoe Fund, and the League to Save Lake Tahoe. This year, declining tourism revenues stemming from decreased inventory and a downturn in international visitation added pressure to already limited resources. Recent data shows total room revenue in Washoe Tahoe was down 30 percent and rooms occupied down 18 percent compared to 2024, significantly reducing available reinvestment funds for TART Connect’s Zone 3 service and other transportation and community programs.
“Delivering transit options like TART Connect requires dependable revenue, and while we explored many avenues, including legislation to create a Business Improvement District, our proposal did not make it through Nevada’s 2025 legislative session,” said Andy Chapman, President and CEO of Travel North Tahoe Nevada. “Though it is clear that this is a useful community amenity that benefits residents, local businesses and visitors, what is unclear is how to secure the funding needed to sustain service. We need a durable solution – not year-to-year uncertainty – if we want a sustainable and successful microtransit system servicing residents and guests in the Washoe Tahoe region.”
While Zone 3 operations will stop service on December 11, TART Connect services will continue on the California side of North Lake Tahoe and Truckee, where Placer County and the Town of Truckee have dedicated funds through its own Tourism Business Improvement District. Traditional mainline TART bus service will also continue serving the region as usual, ensuring that fixed-route transit remains available for workers, residents and visitors.
While the future of microtransit in Incline Village and Crystal Bay remains uncertain, regional partners will continue evaluating funding models and exploring community-supported solutions that could bring the service back in a financially sustainable form.
Community members are encouraged to share their input about their impact as next steps are considered by emailing [email protected]. More information on regional transportation options is available at tahoetruckeetransit.com.