TAHOE CITY, Calif. — An easy-to-use, hassle-free solution to reduce traffic congestion and parking woes in North Lake Tahoe is back just as the snow arrives. The Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association’s free TART Park and Ride program provides an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles for residents and visitors, while also reducing traffic congestion during busy winter months.

This summer, the Placer County Board of Supervisors contributed more than half a million in tourism occupancy tax funds to the program through the emergent grant cycle, reinforcing the county’s commitment to transportation solutions for the region.

With the recent snowfall, TART’s Winter Park & Ride returns just in time. The service offers convenient, no-cost transit options to major resort destinations, helping to skip the hassle of parking while reducing traffic impacts in busy corridors.

“Our Park & Ride system is a tried-and-true practice to get people out of their cars and onto transit, especially during peak winter weekends,” said Sara Van Siclen, executive director of the Truckee North Tahoe Transportation Management Association. “We saw a 55 percent increase in riders last year compared to 2023. This growth highlights the popularity of the program as a convenient, cost-effective alternative to driving.”

To meet new demand, additional shuttles were added to improve frequency. This year’s schedule includes the following shuttles:

Palisades Tahoe – Starting Dec. 27 (weekends only)

  • Park at Tahoe City Transit Center or Truckee High School (lower fields lot)
  • Service runs 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. every 15 minutes
  • Shuttles complement regular TART buses with drop-off at the Palisades Village Clock Tower
  • Resort can be accessed daily via TART’s fixed route

Northstar California – Starting Dec. 27 (weekends only)

  • Park at Lift Workspace in Truckee
  • TART buses run 7:09 a.m. to 5:09 p.m. every hour
  • Extra shuttles Jan. 17–18 and Feb. 21–22 to boost frequency
  • Resort can be accessed daily via TART’s fixed route

Sugar Bowl – Daily service started Dec. 8

  • A new shuttle service that launched in 2024
  • Pick up at the Cold Stream Road bus stop in Truckee
  • Departures at 7:10 a.m., 8:10 a.m., 12:10 p.m., 4:10 p.m., and 5:10 p.m.
  • Service connects skiers, while also providing a key link for residents and employees traveling to downtown Truckee—an area not typically served by TART

No reservations are required and overnight parking is not permitted. More information is available at www.tahoetruckeetransit.com/parkandride.

Winter Schedule Now in Effect

TART’s winter schedule has officially begun, featuring expanded early-morning and evening trips designed to better support the local workforce. Night service continues to link Crystal Bay, Tahoe City, and Olympic Valley, with 7:30 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. departures on fixed route service.. Additional night service in eastern Placer County can be found on TART Connect, including riders traveling between Truckee and Northstar.

Find the winter hours by clicking here.

By investing in regional transit and park and ride options, Placer County continues to advance solutions that reduce congestion, lower emissions and make it easier for people to move throughout North Lake Tahoe and Truckee—especially during peak winter months.

Learn more about TART here: https://tahoetruckeetransit.com/.