IndyGo

For the crowdfunding platform, see Indiegogo. For the India-based airline, see IndiGo.

The Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation, branded as IndyGo, is a public transit agency and municipal corporation of the City of Indianapolis in the U.S. state of Indiana. It operates fixed-route buses, bus rapid transit, microtransit, and paratransit services.

IndyGo

Founded	January 7, 1975; 48 years ago (1975-01-07)
Headquarters	1501 West Washington Street Indianapolis, Indiana 46222
Locale	Indianapolis, Indiana
Service area	Indianapolis–Marion County, Indiana
Service type	bus service, paratransit, bus rapid transit, microtransit
Routes	30 (29 fixed routes, 1 BRT)
Stops	3,385^[1]
Hubs	Julia M. Carson Transit Center
Stations	28^[2]
Fleet	168
Daily ridership	18,900 (weekdays, Q1 2023)^[3]
Annual ridership	5,587,300 (2022)^[4]
Fuel type	diesel, diesel-electric hybrid, battery-electric
Operator	City of Indianapolis
Chief executive	Inez Evans^[5]
Website	indygo.net

IndyGo has managed and operated the city's public bus transit system since 1975. In 2022, the system had a ridership of 5,587,300, or about 18,900 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2023.

History

IndyGo's history begins in 1953 when the city's streetcar system was converted to bus routes, most of which followed the same routes as used by the streetcars. The city of Indianapolis took over public transportation in 1975 and established the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation to administer bus services. The corporation originally operated buses under the name Metro Bus; the IndyGo name was adopted in 1996. Portions of the system were briefly privatized in the 1990s, but the move proved unpopular, and all operations were ultimately taken over by the city.

IndyGo has seen a near-constant trend of decreasing ridership since the 1970s and continues to explore options for revitalization. "Express" bus routes were used in the 1980s as an attempt to gain more middle-class riders from outlying areas, but the routes were largely discontinued by the early 2000s. In the fall of 2007, IndyGo resumed express routes, including one to Indianapolis International Airport.

Marion County Transit Plan

 

IndyGo CEO Inez Evans and dignitaries cut the ribbon at the opening of Indianapolis' first bus rapid transit route, the Red Line, in September 2019.

Indy Connect is a $1.2 billion plan to create a network of bus rapid transit lines, bikeways, and walkways. In 2017, City-County Council approved a voter referendum increasing Marion County's income tax to help fund IndyGo's first major system expansion since its 1975 founding.^[6] Local taxes and federal grants are funding systemwide improvements, including the creation of three bus rapid transit lines, battery electric buses, sidewalks, bus shelters, extended hours and weekend schedules.^[7][8]

The first segment to be constructed is phase one of the Red Line, traveling 14 miles (23 km) from Broad Ripple Avenue to the University of Indianapolis.^[9] Construction along the route began in June 2018^[10] and the route opened on September 1, 2019.^[5]

In February 2020, the corporation announced it would be canceling an order for five battery-powered coaches for Route 39 along East 38th Street due to reliability issues with the BYD vehicles. IndyGo stated in a press release that the company had not met its contract which required the buses to cover 275 miles (443 km) until recharging, nor did it provide a permanent enroute re-charging solution. The existing BYD vehicles have been moved to the Red Line, requiring a new $7.5 million contract for 13 40-foot (12 m) Gillig diesel vehicles for Route 39.^[11]

In March 2020, the Indiana General Assembly debated a 10% public funding cut for IndyGo, after lawmakers claimed that the corporation was not engaging with 2015 legislation which required it to seek up to 10% of its budget through private funding. Legislators have proposed withholding income tax money and preventing expansion routes until IndyGo meets its 10% funding goal. However, IndyGo CEO Inez Evans responded that the corporation had been unable to officially meet the target due to delays in establishing its foundation, which recently received $35,000 in private investment, and stated that public funding cuts could jeopardize its transit plans.^[12]

In April 2020, IndyGo announced it was postponing system-wide route changes as part of the Marion County Transit Plan implementation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The changes would have switched the current hub-and-spoke system to a grid network that would allow for easier transfers across the city.^[13]

In August 2020, IndyGo initiated a "bus stop balancing" project to eliminate or consolidate 524 redundant or low-boarding bus stops and create 45 new bus stops.^[1] The effort is expected to expedite service on high-ridership routes.^[14]

Construction began on IndyGo's second bus rapid transit project, the Purple Line, on February 25, 2022.^[15] Groundbreaking on the third and final bus rapid transit project, the Blue Line, is anticipated in 2024.^[16]

Julia M. Carson Transit Center

Main article: Julia M. Carson Transit Center

 

The Julia M. Carson Transit Center in 2020.

The Julia M. Carson Transit Center at 201 E. Washington Street serves routes that transit downtown Indianapolis. Ground was broken for the $26.5 million facility in September 2014.^[17] A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on June 21, 2016, with formal bus service beginning on June 26, 2016. In addition to IndyGo's Customer Service Retail Center, the 14,000-square-foot (1,300.64 m²) center includes free Wi-Fi, public restrooms, a conference room, administrative offices, bus operator lounge, seating, real-time arrival and departure information, 19 bus bays, and 700 square feet (65.03 m²) of retail space. Of IndyGo's 31 routes, 26 routes offer transfers at the station.^[18]

The transit center is named for Julia Carson, former U.S. Representative for Indiana's 7th congressional district (1997–2007). During her tenure in Congress, Carson helped secure federal funding for the $26.5 million transit center.^[19]

Routes

 

Typical IndyGo bus stop sign.

IndyGo operates 31 fixed routes with some nearly 3,400 stops;^[1] bus frequency varies on the population density along the route. The system carries approximately 10.2 million passengers annually, traveling a total distance of about 9 million miles. While IndyGo provides bus service primarily in Indianapolis, certain IndyGo fixed routes extend south of the city into Johnson County.

Route List

• 2 East 34th Street
• 3 Michigan Street
• 4 Fort Harrison
• 5 East 25th Street
• 6 Harding
• 8 Washington
• 10 10th Street
• 11 East 16th
• 12 Minnesota
• 13 Raymond Street
• 14 Prospect
• 15 West 34th Street
• 16 Beech Grove
• 18 Broad Ripple
• 19 Castleton
• 21 East 21st Street
• 24 Mars Hill
• 25 West 16th
• 26 Keystone Crosstown
• 28 St Vincent/Women's Hospital
• 30 30th Street Crosstown
• 31 US 31
• 34 MLK/Michigan Road
• 37 Park 100
• 38 West 38th Street
• 39 East 38th Street
• 55 English
• 86 86th Street Crosstown
• 87 Eastside Circulator
• 90 Red Line

The Blue Line downtown circulator route was added in 2005 to attract passengers and saw considerable ridership. In late 2006, IndyGo complemented the Blue Line with the introduction of the Red Line, which runs between Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) and downtown, with 15-minute frequency. The Blue Line's ridership declined as federal funding allotted for the route ran out, and the route was discontinued after December 31, 2007.^[20] The Red Line remained a free route until January 2009, at which time it became a regularly priced route.^[21] The Red Line was retired when the Downtown Transit Center opened, with IUPUI service being covered by Routes 3, 10, and 37, along with 15-minute frequency on Michigan St. and New York St.^[22]

In the fall of 2007, IndyGo introduced an express route operated by a contractor, using ADA-accessible MCI J4500 motor coaches. The route runs from downtown to the northern suburb of Fishers in Hamilton County, the most populous suburban county of Indianapolis. In March 2008, an additional express route to Carmel (also in Hamilton County) was launched, followed in March 2009 by express service to Greenwood, a southern suburb in Johnson County. These ICE Express Routes to Greenwood, Fishers, and Carmel were discontinued in 2010 after their federal grants expired.

Fleet

 

A 2020 Gillig Low Floor BRT bus in Downtown Indianapolis

The standard fleet of the Indianapolis Transit System consisted mostly of dark orange/silverside GM Old Look and GM New Look buses; the latter 40-foot coaches were air-conditioned. When it became the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (adopting the Metro name) in 1975, the New Looks became the workhorse of the fleet, with the agency later adding AM General, GM RTS-II series, GMDD Canada New Look, and Orion I buses to the lineup as the New Looks wore out by the mid-1990s. These buses were painted white with brown-gold-brown stripes and the "Metro" name next to the exit door (except for the Canadian New Looks, which sported a bold black top around its windows) up until the change to the IndyGo branding in 1997.

By 1986, the buses had three greenish-blue stripes immediately below the windows and the word "Metro" near the front door. From 1997 to 2010, the Phantoms and Low-Floor Coaches were painted white with one large dark green stripe on the right front window and one light green stripe over the first window on the left side. The dome of the newer ones from 2003 and 2007 had it painted in the back. Since 2010, all buses have been painted white and have a sleek blue cap at the top of them, except for the hybrid models, which have green caps.

In service

Purchased new

• 2301–2324: 2003 Gillig 40-foot low floor buses. These buses are retired.
• 2701–2710: 2007 Gillig 40-foot low floor buses. These buses are identical to the 2003 Gillig low floors except the rear end design. These buses are used for training.
• 1001–1011: 2010 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses feature significant design changes from previous Gillig models.
• H1012–H1022: 2010 Gillig 40-foot BRT hybrid buses.
• H1301–H1304: 2013 Gillig 40-foot BRT hybrid buses. These buses are identical to the previous Gillig BRT hybrids.
• 1401–1413: 2014 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses have destination signs that can change in brightness depending on the light of the surroundings (such as going through tunnels or running in the nighttime).
• 1501–1513: 2015 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses are identical to the 2014 Gillig BRTs with updated handicap seating, updated technology, and a different color scheme.
• 1601–1613: 2016 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses are identical to the 2015 buses, except they have updated seating like that of the electric buses and a brand new CAD system for the drivers. Previous models had LED "STOP" signs on the rear, but these were later swapped with regular tail lights.
• 1701–1716: 2017 Gillig 40-foot BRT Buses. These buses look exactly like the 2016 buses, except the seating goes back to the same style as the 2015 buses and before
• 1801–1817: 2018 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses have newer updated seating and newer flooring on the inside of the bus
• 1901–1916: 2019 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses are identical to the 2018 buses, but these have USB charging.
• 2072–2099: 2020 Gillig 40-foot BRT buses. These buses are also identical to the 2018 and 2019 buses, but the USB charging is under the seats just like Red Line Busses
• H2101–H2124: 2021 Gillig 40-foot BRT Plus hybrid buses. These buses have a new paint scheme and a sleeker roof.

IndyGo also operates 40 Flexible Service vans and employs a contractor to operate an additional 40.^[23]

Purchased secondhand

• 9789–9799: 1997 New Flyer Industries D40LF 40-foot low floor buses. IndyGo purchased these from Santa Monica. These buses are retired.
• 0101-0118: 2000 New Flyer Industries D40LF 40-foot low floor buses. IndyGo purchased these buses early 2018 from COTA. These buses are retired.
• 0130-0140: 2000 New Flyer Industries D40LF 40-foot low floor buses. IndyGo purchased these buses from COTA in 2013. These buses are retired.
• 0001-0021: 40-foot low floor buses with ZEPS electric powertrains. IndyGo purchased these buses in 2015 for operation on shorter routes, as the buses can go 130 miles on a single charge. These buses are retired.
• 0201-0217: 2002 New Flyer Industries D60LF 60-foot articulated low floor buses.^[24] IndyGo purchased these buses from Los Angeles to hold more passengers on busier routes. These buses are retired.

See also

• Transportation in Indianapolis
• List of bus transit systems in the United States
• List of bus rapid transit systems in the Americas

References

1. May, Ethan (August 25, 2020). "IndyGo will remove more than 500 bus stops". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
2. "IndyGo Red Line Rapid Transit" (PDF). Riding the Red Line. Indygo. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
3. "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2023" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. May 30, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
4. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2022" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. March 1, 2023. Retrieved March 29, 2023.
5. Hwang, Kellie (July 9, 2019). "IndyGo announces new CEO to start days before Red Line launch". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
6. Briggs, James (February 27, 2017). "Indy council approves transit tax". The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Co. Retrieved March 4, 2017.
7. (PDF). Indy Connect. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
8. Tuohy, John (April 23, 2015). "Indy's rapid transit plan moving fast". The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Co. Retrieved February 7, 2016.
9. Tuohy, John (August 11, 2015). "Indy's bus rapid transit plan begins move to express lane". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved September 13, 2015.
10. "IndyGo's Red Line Project Begins Construction". IndyGo. May 31, 2018. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
11. "IndyGo cancels BYD electric bus order". Fox 59. February 28, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
12. "IndyGo in the middle of public funding fight". 13 WTHR Indianapolis. March 6, 2020. Retrieved March 7, 2020.
13. "IndyGo says COVID-19 will delay planned route improvements". Indianapolis Business Journal. April 23, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
14. "IndyGo to remove more than 500 bus stops in 'balancing' effort". Indianapolis Business Journal. August 25, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
15. Bonilla Muñiz, Leslie (February 25, 2022). "IndyGo kicks off work on two-year, $188M Purple Line project". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
16. Bonilla Muñiz, Leslie (November 26, 2021). "Next IndyGo rapid lines move toward reality". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
17. Tuohy, John (September 23, 2014). "Transit center groundbreaking is Thursday". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
18. Tuohy, John (June 14, 2016). "5 things to know about that shiny new Transit Center in Indianapolis". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
19. Tuohy, John (April 11, 2016). "Proposal would name transit center for Julia Carson". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
20. . Archived from the original on November 23, 2010.
21. . Archived from the original on December 18, 2008.
22. "IndyGo Forward Initiative Unveils Major Service Changes for 2015". IndyGo. October 28, 2014.
23. (PDF). Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 10, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2007.
24. . Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation. November 13, 2013. Archived from the original on 2014-03-03. Retrieved 2014-02-04.

External links

 

Wikimedia Commons has media related to IndyGo.

• IndyGo official website
• Indy Connect: Marion County Transit Plan