Bus service on the South Shore, which has long been inadequate, could get even worse.

Tahoe Transportation District officials are considering cutting service, including the ski shuttles to Heavenly Mountain Resort.

Lack of funding is the main reason for the proposed changes.

The board on April 13 heard various scenarios for future service and the reasons for them. Before any changes are made the public will be asked to get more involved. Future meetings will be conducted to gather input.

Federal grants are going away, and then there is the issue of an aging fleet. Added to that is the difficulty TTD has had in retaining drivers. In part this has to do with wages as well as people having a hard time finding housing. Overtime costs are another problem.

While money is an issue, on the table is a proposal for a 20 percent pay hike for drivers. This is largely an attempt to lure people here. Without drivers, it doesn’t matter how many state-of-the-art buses come on line or how many routes are proposed.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report