Author archives

Asking the tough questions about transit in the city of Indianapolis

Report from DC/Railvolution 2011

DC Metro Rail (image credit: Curt Ailes)

This year, I had the privilege of speaking at Railvolution in Washington DC. I was selected to a panel that included David Alpert & Matt Johnson of Greater Greater Washington and was moderated by Jeff Wood better known on the web & in blogging circles as, The Overhead Wire. For me, it was an honor …

FTA Awards $2 Million to Indy for BRT Planning

Indyconnect Adopted Plan (November 2010)

  On October 17th, 2011, the FTA awarded Indianapolis $2 million to conduct an alternatives analysis on what is termed, “Central Corridors”. (click here for the official FTA press release in .PDF format) This is direct from last year’s adopted Indyconnect plan that laid out future BRT lines along Washington Street east & west as …

Regional Transit and the Trip Not Taken

Portand MAX Light Rail at the airport (image credit: me)

The past year and some change has been an exciting time for transit in Indianapolis. I feel like we may be moving from the decades of study, study, study to something actually taking place. Proof of that is the current undertaking of the NE Corridor AA/EIS which is also accompanied by a land use study …

Georgia Street Update 5

Georgia Street as of 10-3-2011 (image credit: Curt Ailes)

Here is the latest news from the Georgia Street project. I stopped after classes last night for just a moment to snap a couple of pictures. I feel like this update is almost symbolic of the the struggle that has become the Georgia Street overhaul. The City, over the past month, has made a public …

Cycling on sidewalks in Indy

E 10th Street (image credit: Curt Ailes)

I’m sure we’ve all seen it or experienced it a time or 10 here in Indy. Walking down the sidewalk (when there is one available) and someone either comes at you on a bike, or brushes past you from behind on a bike. Some go fast, some go slow but the fact that they are …

Take Indy Commuter Express on Colts Gameday

Miller Trailway's Bus used for the commuter service

According to a press release last week, Miller Trailways in partnership with CIRTA will be offering Colts gameday services from the normal weekday park & ride lots in Carmel & Fishers. This will provide a new way for people in the north suburbs to get to the Colts game without having to fight traffic & pay …

2011 State of Cycling in Indianapolis Report

Shelby Street Bike Track nearing completion (image credit: Curt Ailes)

2011 has been a busy year in Indianapolis with road repairs, sidewalk fixes and creation and the addition of more cycling infrastructure. Generally, I feel like I should leave coverage of cycling in the city to the folks over at IndyCog. My recent observations however, have spurred me to action. This year we have seen …

Rail Transit for Carmel: Could it be done?

Suburban lightrail station in Portland, OR (image credit: Curt Ailes)

The Indyconnect proposal that is currently on the table makes no rail transit proposal for Carmel. Carmel is Indy’s largest and seemingly most prosperous suburb and has been making strides in recent years to tackle it’s long term suburban built form. These change have come in the form of a revitalized downtown arts district with …