As you may have already heard, Indy Connect version 2.0 is here! An updated long-range transportation plan for Central Indiana has been developed after an extensive public outreach and feedback-gathering effort. You can review this plan, ask questions and submit comments here or at any of the public meetings happening around the region over the next 2 weeks.
Here are eight key facts to know about the plan:
1. Indy Connect, Central Indiana’s Transportation Initiative, has developed a long-range transportation plan following an extensive public outreach effort. This is the most comprehensive transportation plan we have ever created – with more help and input from the public than ever before.
2. The long-range transportation plan centers on a comprehensive regional bus system that connects to rail, as well as roadways and bike and pedestrian pathways.
3. We sharpened our pencils and developed a plan that addresses our critical transportation system needs. It considers available funding and addresses feedback we received about cost, which indicated a willingness to pay an average of $15 per month per household.
4. The goal is to build a transportation system that provides various types of transportation that connect people to jobs, healthcare, shopping and education and increases the region’s competitiveness, economic development opportunities and mobility.
5. The bus system in this plan provides three times the service of today’s IndyGo, with more cross-town service, fewer downtown transfers, more direct routes and extended operating hours.
6. An enhanced bus system, known as Bus Rapid Transit (BRT), supplements the traditional bus system and provides service with frequent stops and quick travel along highly traveled streets.
7. Rail will be built on existing lines from Union Station running north to Noblesville and south to Franklin. If funding allows, rail could be extended northwest to Zionsville.
8. BRT will be available along Washington Street and will be replaced, over time, with light rail transit. The first light rail line to be built will be from Union Station to the Indianapolis International Airport.
The next step in the process is to decide on a new dedicated source of local funds to build and operate the bus and rail components of this system. Federal grants, state dollars, the current property tax that funds IndyGo, and transit fares will be utilized, but will only cover half the $2.5 billion cost of creating the system. It will be up to the Indiana state legislature to determine what kind of local funding will be used. The funding sources will likely include an increase in the local option income tax or sales tax.
What parts of this system do you see yourself using? How is your neighborhood affected by the new plan? How would you feel about an average tax increase of $15 per month to fund the system? With construction potentially beginning within a couple of years, the time to consider your part in the grand scheme of Central Indiana transportation is now.
1 comment:
Building commuter rail, light rail, and or BRT is a great goal for the Indianapolis metro area. The time seems right before the area becomes too congested.
A couple of items that I feel affect ridership of public transit.
1. The service must make users feel safe and the equipment must be kept clean and maintained.
2. Users have to know they are saving time and money using these transportation options vs. driving themselves. With gas prices rising again, this should not be too difficult.
3. Need to make sure that transfers to IndyGo system or vice versa are an option. People dont want to be hasseled or confused by having to purchase two different tickets.
Another great idea would be to use these facilites for express service to Colts games and other downtown events, the Indianapolis speedway, and the verizon ampitheater.
Lastly free wifi would be a huge draw.
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