During the 2023-24 school year, JCPS decided to rescind transportation to many schools for the 2024-25 school year. This has resulted in students no longer attending certain schools or switching transportation methods. Specifically, many students, including myself, have now resorted to taking the TARC to school. I have interviewed one of these students to gain their perspective on taking Louisville’s public transportation to school, as well as including my own opinion.
I interviewed Ballard student Shekeara Sharpe, who takes the TARC every day after school. I will list both her thoughts and mine.
How does taking the TARC compare to the school bus?
Sharpe replied, “I think it’s better, cause I do have a bus, but I get home relatively the same time if I’m not at after-school practice. I’m riding with my friends, it’s less crowded, and there’s air conditioning. My school bus is so crowded we have a whole overflow bus. Instead of having two buses ride the same overcrowded route, [JCPS] can just route it better. My bus starts in Russell, goes all the way through the west end, to downtown, then it goes to Nulu and then it goes on the expressway. And we’re still late to school.”
I, personally, like that the TARC has more space than a school bus and the passengers aren’t as rowdy. However, it requires more walking than a school bus would to get to your destination after getting off at your stop. The TARC also takes as long as my school bus used to, both being an hour.
Do you ever see other students on the TARC, how often, and in what age range?
Sharpe said, “Yeah, it’s mainly Ballard kids. I think I have [seen younger kids] a few times but not often.”
I seldom see other students on the TARC, but when I do, they’re typically high school age.
Do you feel safe on the TARC?
Sharpe replied, “Yeah, there’s cameras and I feel like the bus driver’s gonna stop someone if they try to take you off the bus.”
I feel semi-safe. I know that there are cameras, but I worry about if someone would actually help in the moment if someone were to pose a threat.
Sharpe states her biggest concern is that she’ll miss her stop or the bus in general. My concerns are missing my stop, missing the bus, getting off at the wrong stop, or not having enough on my TARC card.
Do you miss riding a school bus?
Sharpe replied: “No. I choose to ride the TARC compared to my school bus.”
I have mixed feelings on this one. I miss having more friends on the bus with me and a specifically tailored route, but the TARC is calmer and more frequently on time than my school bus was.
There are many different students riding the TARC, each with their own opinions. Overall, I believe it would be in students’ best interest to reroute buses to proper routes and properly compensate drivers. This would give students proper transportation and more supervision.
