The evening of Monday, October 15th marked a milestone for IndyGo, Indianapolis public transit provider. The City Council of Indianapolis passed the 2013 budget which included an increase of over $8 million over the 2012 adopted budget. The vote on the 2013 budget was 29-0 in favor of passage.
The passage of this budget marks not only a significant increase in operating revenue, the lion share of which will directly fund service improvements on a number of routes, but also represents the willpower of the city’s elected officials to sign off on increased transit funding.
Now that the budget has been approved, hearings will be announced shortly to solicit public input on the proposed service increases.  We have reported on this previously and the likelihood is that 6 routes will improve head-ways, some routes will run later and a new cross-town route will be added. Ann Keil at local media outlet Fox 59 reported yesterday that the new crosstown route could serve the 86th street / Castleton corridor, an area which is now only served by the 19.
This is a significant step forward for Indianapolis. It demonstrates bipartisan support at the city level for improved public transportation. Not only that, IndyGo instigated the funding increase. As a local advocate for improved transit, and a rider, I look forward to the improved services and how they will make transportation easier for my family and I.
The tentative date for public hearings regarding service increases, is November 7th. I do not have the time or location, but check back and we will have those details when they are available.
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Updated 10/18: A press release from IndyGo for the public hearings covering service increases.
Wednesday, November 15, 2012Â
Indiana History Center
450 W. Ohio St. downtown Indianapolis
Daytime hearing: 12p
Evening hearing: 5:30pThe daytime and evening session presentations will be identical. Anyone unable to attend the scheduled sessions may contact IndyGo Customer Service to log a comment at 317.635.3344 or online at IndyGo.net. Service changes will be communicated through print material on-board IndyGo buses, social media, press releases and news coverage.
Great Update Curt !
Update added for the public hearing schedule on service increases
WooHoo! I plan on living in Indy next year so this is great news! If they keep improving public transit, I may not be able to come up with a reason to leave.
Are they going to discuss the light rail (Indyconnect) project during this?
Has anyone ridden the bus in a city that has a GPS app? Its fantastic, and it basically eliminates the problem of standing around and waiting for up to 30 minutes for your bus- a huge deterrent to choice riders here in Indy. Depending on price, I vote for a quality IndyGo GPS app w live ETA for all stops.