KINGS BEACH, Calif. — As summer heats up, local transit service to the downtown Kings Beach service area will be enhanced  beginning July 1 by dedicating a TART Connect vehicle specifically to the area..

This new van will provide service along state Route 28 through downtown Kings Beach from the Safeway parking lot to Beaver Street and throughout the grid.

The dedicated vehicle is an increase to existing service and will not reduce or eliminate service elsewhere. County officials expect the additional vehicle to improve response times, increase service frequency and provide more reliable transportation options for residents, employees and visitors.

Service usage will be monitored throughout the season to evaluate performance and identify opportunities for future improvements. The new van will be added to the TART Connect mobile app for service starting Wednesday, July 1. The app can be downloaded at: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/tart-connect/id1566632029

“Our goal is to continue improving the parking management program based on community feedback while encouraging greater utilization of our free public transportation options,” said Placer County Public Works Deputy Director Jared Deck. “These improvements are intended to help reduce vehicle congestion, support local business turnover, and improve the overall mobility experiences in Kings Beach.”

Summer parking reminder

For those shopping, dining or recreating in Kings Beach, be aware that the program has expanded paid parking this year from two to four Kings Beach parking lots, running from May 1 to Oct. 1. This includes the two new pay lots at West End and Rainbow Street.

Placer County crews delayed the installation of paid parking kiosks at both locations in order to provide a longer adjustment period for the community. Parking fees at the West End and Rainbow lots become effective beginning Thursday, June 25.

The paid parking expansion follows successful pilot parking management efforts implemented in 2024 and 2025 that demonstrated positive results in managing parking demand and increasing turnover in high-demand areas, ultimately supporting local businesses.

Priority parking lots closest to Lake Tahoe, including Brook Avenue and Christmas Tree, charge $20 per day and $40 per day on designated holidays. Secondary parking lots, which are the newly added West End and Rainbow lots, charge $10 per day and $20 per day on designated holidays. An hourly $2 fee is also available at all pay lots for up to two hours before 5 p.m. and a flat $2 evening fee is available from 5 to 10 p.m.

The county is also reminding local businesses and employees that free on-street parking opportunities remain available throughout the downtown Kings Beach area outside of the pay lots. Employees are encouraged to utilize the available free on-street parking or the free Salmon Avenue and Minnow Avenue lots to help preserve convenient parking access for local businesses.

Now in its third year, program staff continue to emphasize education of the new rules before taking enforcement action. During the 2025 summer season, the county issued 216 warning notices as part of its ongoing parking management and enforcement efforts. Repeated offenses escalated to fines.

The program uses a tiered citation structure. First-time violations are subject to a $150 citation, second offenses carry a $250 citation and third offenses are subject to a $450 citation. Since the program’s inception, no motorist has received a third-offense citation.

Currently, this program is funded through transient occupancy tax funds. Should the program become self-sufficient, revenue generated beyond operational costs would be fully reinvested into the local community to support regional transportation, mobility and parking enhancements.

For additional information, visit the county’s parking management website: https://www.placer.ca.gov/8857/Parking-Management-Program.

New summer hours

Also starting July 1 and running through Sept. 9, Tahoe Truckee Area Regional Transit will adjust bus service to every 30 minutes, Friday through Sunday, to accommodate demand for the summer park and ride at Northstar.

TART is also offering night service, extending hours to 10:30 p.m. along state Routes 89 and 267 as well as for North Shore routes to and from Tahoe City and Crystal Bay.  

The popular Emerald Bay Shuttle also returns for summer service starting July 1. North Lake Tahoe users can connect to it via TART Connect at Sugar Pine Point State Park and CA State Park Road for rides to Vikingsholm at the following times:

  • Weekends: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., with service every 30 minutes
  • Weekdays: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m., with service every 50 minutes
  • Fares: $5 one way / $10 roundtrip
  • Reduced fares: $2.50 one way / $5 roundtrip for children under 12, adults ages 65+, veterans, riders with disabilities and Medicare cardholders
  • Advanced booking recommended at: https://tahoetransportation.org/

Learn more about free shuttle options: https://tahoetruckeetransit.com/parkandride/.