Urban Indiana

IndyGo Announces Upcoming Schedule Adjustments and Route Changes to Service New Super Stops

INDIANAPOLIS — Starting Sunday, Oct. 8, IndyGo will adjust bus route schedules to improve on-time performance and implement several route changes to service its upgraded, downtown Super Stops. Routes that will undergo timing changes and/or minor routing adjustments include Routes 2, 15, 18, 19, 21, 24, 37, 38, 39 and 86. Routes that will experience schedule and routing changes to service the new Super Stops at Vermont Street, near Capitol Avenue, and along Alabama Street, at North and New York streets, include Routes 3, 6, 10, 15, 34 and 37.

The most notable modifications for October are:

• Routes 3, 6, 10, 15, 34 and 37 – These routes will shift service eastbound from Ohio Street to Vermont and Alabama streets to service the new Super Stops. Westbound service will use Delaware Street to Vermont Street. (See updated maps below.)
• Bus stops along Ohio Street at Capitol Avenue and at Illinois Street will be removed due to the Super Stop service shift to Vermont and Alabama streets for Routes 3, 6, 10, 15, 34 and 37. 
• Route 39 – This route will shift inbound service from New York Street to Ohio Street, adding a new bus stop near Ohio and Pennsylvania streets.

As a reminder, IndyGo is bringing the comfort, convenience and reliability of Bus Rapid Transit to local fixed route service through the downtown Super Stops project. This work involves upgrading some of Indianapolis' busiest downtown bus stops to include ticket vending machines, near-level boarding, bus shelters, expanded seating and longer platforms to serve more buses at once.   

Additionally, these changes move the agency closer to implementing its network redesign, which was first shared in 2016 in response to a decades-long public outreach and engagement process. An update to this plan was approved by the IndyGo Board of Directors in November 2022, in the wake of COVID, after several months of additional outreach, public engagement, and community meetings. Learn more about IndyGo's newest Future Service Plan here.

IndyGo encourages riders to check the new schedules at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center to ensure they have the most up-to-date information about their routes. Riders can view updated schedules toward the bottom of the individual route pages here. Printed maps will be available the week of Sunday, Oct. 1. 

Riders needing assistance planning their trips can visit the Plan Your Trip webpage here or call IndyGo's Customer Care Center at 317-635-3344.

The maps below reflect changes that will go into effect beginning Sunday, Oct. 8.

https://www.indygo.net/indygo-announces-upcoming-schedule-adjustments-and-route-changes-to-service-new-super-stops/

IndyGo CEO Inez Evans leaving after four years leading transit agency

Inez Evans, IndyGo CEO and president, has submitted her resignation to the organization's board and plans to depart her role Dec. 31 after more than four years with the agency, IndyGo announced Friday.

IndyGo did not say why Evans was stepping down, but said it planned to "accept her resignation and celebrate her tenure during the upcoming board meeting" on Dec. 14.

Evans, 59, was chief operating officer at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority in California before accepting the IndyGo position in 2019. She was first Black woman to become president and CEO of IndyGo and was one of only nine Black women in the country to serve as the CEO of a transit agency.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/indygo-announces-departure-of-ceo-inez-evans?utm_source=ibj&utm_medium=home-carousel

IndyGo to face Statehouse challenge on blue line

At least twice before, State Senator Aaron Freeman has tried to curb IndyGo's plans to build dedicated bus lanes along its proposed 24.5-mile-long Blue Line linking Cumberland on the east with Indianapolis International Airport on the west — mostly along Washington Street.

At least twice before, IndyGo and its supporters at the Statehouse have successfully battled back against Freeman's efforts.

When the General Assembly comes back to work next month, Freeman said he's ready to try again.

"I will certainly have a bill on this topic," the Republican from the southeast side of Marion County said. "I think a colleague in the House will have a bill on this topic. We are not going to do dedicated lanes on Washington Street. If that means you guys are willing to accept a lesser amount of money and only do shared lanes, then, fine, that's where we need to be."

More below:
https://fox59.com/news/indygo-to-face-statehouse-challenge-on-blue-line/

State Sen. Freeman to challenge IndyGo dedicated bus lanes

A state senator known for filing legislation aimed at IndyGo has introduced a measure targeting the transit agency again in 2024. IndyGo says the bill, if passed, would kill the proposed Blue Line. He also plans a bill that would reverse Indianapolis' new no-turn-on-red ordinance.

Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, has filed Senate Bill 52, which would prohibit public transportation projects from using dedicated lanes. It would specifically target the planned Blue Line rapid-transit bus route,  which would run east to west across the city along Washington Street.

The law would not apply to dedicated lanes that have completed construction before March 31, 2024. IndyGo's Red Line already has dedicated lanes while IndyGo is slated to soon complete the Purple Line, which runs from downtown Indianapolis to Lawrence and utilizes dedicated lanes.

More below:
https://www.insideindianabusiness.com/articles/state-sen-freeman-to-challenge-indygo-dedicated-bus-lanes

Moving ahead too quickly with Blue Line 'would be a mistake,' House speaker says

The powerful Republican leader of the Indiana House of Representatives said he's open to the idea of preventing IndyGo from using dedicated bus lanes for the Blue Line, bringing new momentum to a perennial proposal among some GOP lawmakers that the transit agency says would derail the planned bus route.

House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, told IBJ that he's been approached by business owners on Washington Street who are concerned that the projected two-year construction period for the Blue Line, which will run east and west on the thoroughfare, would force them to shut down.

"I think the idea of the Red Line, the Blue Line...felt like a good idea at the time, but I think the idea of putting more lane restrictions on a street like Washington Street needs to be considered," Huston said.

"I also think that there may be a discussion to be had about the state...taking back control [of Meridian and Washington streets], and working with the city to do that. And if we're going to do that, then I think moving too fast on the Blue Line would be a mistake," he added.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/dont-rush-indygo-blue-line-house-speaker-says

Bill that targets Blue Line clears Indiana Senate, casting doubt on planned bus route

Despite pleas from Democratic lawmakers, the Republican-controlled Indiana Senate voted to advance legislation Monday that public transit advocates say would kill the planned Blue Line bus rapid transit route in Indianapolis.

The Republican-controlled chamber voted 35-14 along mostly party lines to send Senate Bill 52 to the House, where House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, has indicated he is willing to hear the legislation.

Five Republican lawmakers sided with Democrats in opposing the bill. They were Sens. Ron Alting, Eric Bassler, Vaneta Becker, Travis Holdman and Kyle Walker.

More below:
https://www.ibj.com/articles/blue-line-bill-passes-senate-chamber-putting-planned-bus-route-in-jeopardy