Lake Tahoe Communities Say “Anything But One Person Per Car” This Winter
Traffic congestion in mountain towns is certainly nothing new — especially on weekends and holidays during the winter — but new data suggests use of free-to-the-rider shared transportation options in the Lake Tahoe region is increasing.
“Simply put, if you’re in traffic, you are part of the traffic,” said Nettie Pardue, executive director of the Destination Stewardship Council. “Whether you live in Tahoe full-time or travel to the region to enjoy it for the day, the weekend, or longer, it’s up to all of us to do our part and use shared transportation options like TART Connect, Lake Link, resort shuttles, free park and ride services, or just simply carpool. All of these options are aimed at reducing the number of people traveling one person per car wherever they want to go in the region.”
As an example of progress, this year from the season opening through the holiday period, additional shuttles from both Tahoe City and Truckee provided service to Palisades Tahoe which in total provided 2,977 rides as compared to 1,013 over the same period last year – a 194% increase in use. Resort parking reservation programs have also improved conditions. At Northstar California Resort, they have had a positive impact on morning traffic during peak periods on SR-267 and Northstar Drive with 65% of all Village View parking reservations being made for vehicles with 4+ passengers.
In South Lake Tahoe, ridership is up so far this winter. Tahoe Transportation District (TTD) recorded a ridership of 40,003 during November and December of 2024, up from 28,668 during the same time period of 2023 (Source: TTD, 2.5.25 Board Staff Report). As of September 2024, the TTD increased frequency on Route 50 from hourly to every 30 minutes, ensuring more flexibility and easier connections for everyone. In addition, TTD, in partnership with the Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, is providing event-specific services to reduce traffic to and from the Tahoe Blue Event Center.
The reinvestment of tourism-generated funding has also contributed to the expansion of the variety of free-to-the-rider shared transportation options available in North Lake Tahoe, Truckee, and South Lake Tahoe. Here’s how to get around in anything but one car per person this winter:
North Lake Tahoe to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, park at the Tahoe City Transit Center and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 6:30 a.m. in Tahoe City with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive.
TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Mountaineer: Free, on-demand winter transportation is offered daily in Olympic Valley from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Service is offered Thursday through Monday from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. in Alpine Meadows (plus Feb. 18-19), and daily between the two valleys from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. through April 20, 2025.
Truckee to Palisades Tahoe
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, park at the Truckee High School fields/TTUSD parking lot and take a free shuttle to and from Palisades Tahoe. Shuttles are offered hourly starting at 7:42 a.m. in Truckee with a $10 food and beverage voucher incentive.
Truckee to Northstar
Park and Ride: On weekends through April 14, 2025, free shuttle service is offered to and from Northstar from the Lift Workspace parking lot in Truckee starting just after 7 a.m. Additional service will be offered Feb. 22-23.
TART Connect: In Truckee, daily on-demand winter service is offered through April 6, 2025 from 6:30 a.m. to midnight, and can connect to the Park & Ride.
North Lake Tahoe to Northstar
TART Connect: Daily on-demand winter service operates through April 6, 2026 throughout North Lake Tahoe (from Incline Village to the West Shore, plus Northstar and Olympic Valley). All zones in California operate from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. and provide easy connections from home to the Park & Ride as well as all TART fixed route bus services. Incline Village and Crystal Bay on the Nevada side operate from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Truckee to Sugar Bowl/Donner Summit
Free daily service is offered between Truckee and Donner Summit through April 20, 2025 when Old 40 is open starting just after 7 a.m.
South Lake Tahoe to Heavenly
Lake Link: Free, on-demand transportation is offered daily in South Lake Tahoe from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Public Transportation: Offered by the Tahoe Transportation District, and funded in part by Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, fixed route bus service offered on the South and East shores of Lake Tahoe includes:
- 30-minute service is available along Hwy 50 from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- Hourly fixed route services along Hwy 50 and into some neighborhoods from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hourly local service between Stateline and Daggett Summit along Kingsbury Grade
- Regional commuter service between South Lake Tahoe and Minden/Gardnerville and Carson City via SR-207
Heavenly Resort Shuttles: With routes that start as early as 6 a.m. depending on direction, accessing Heavenly’s four base areas (two in California and two in Nevada) is easy from a variety of lodging properties and businesses in South Lake Tahoe. Heavenly Resort added seven new shuttle times this season, a new Lodging Route, and doubled frequency for the Kingsbury route. As a result of implementing parking reservations, carpool numbers are up to 63% of drivers.
“No one likes sitting in traffic, but every one of us has options when it comes to being part of the solution,” continued Pardue. “If you haven’t yet tried park and ride, TART Connect or Lake Link, or a good ol’ fashioned carpool, now is the time."
