Transit planning process embarks on public education campaign

INDIANAPOLIS (Jan. 10, 2013) — Indy Connect, the initiative for improving and expanding Central Indiana’s transit system, is kicking into high gear with a public education campaign that includes a Webinar, outreach meetings, TV and radio commercials, and a simplified map with color-coded transit lines.

The next phase of the planning process – required and funded by the Federal Transit Administration – will focus on three rapid transit lines. Decisions made in 2013 will determine the number and locations of station stops along those lines, the types of rail or bus rapid transit vehicles to be used, and whether the vehicles will run in new or existing lanes of city streets.

“By taking this next step, we’ll be teed up to pursue federal funding for implementation when we get a positive outcome from other groups’ legislative efforts,” said Anna Tyszkiewicz, director of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.

The three rapid transit lines to be studied in more detail are:

• The Red Line, which extends north and south through downtown Indianapolis from Carmel to Greenwood.
• The Blue Line, which runs east and west on or near Washington Street from Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport;  and
• The Green Line, which runs between downtown Indianapolis and Noblesville and was previously called the Northeast Corridor – this line is also known as the former Nickel Plate rail line.

“Most transit systems throughout the world use a color-coding system for rapid transit lines, and we think this simple plan will help people understand what the improvements could mean for their lives and how it could change the way they get to work, play, education, healthcare and more,” said Tyszkiewicz.

Indy Connect is a partnership of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization, the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) and IndyGo.

The partnership developed commercials that begin airing Jan. 11 on all four TV networks and various cable and radio stations to educate the public about what an expanded and enhanced transit system could mean for the community. The commercials include more than a dozen Central Indiana residents answering the question, “Why do we need more transit options?” The residents – who were not paid for their time – said they want more transit so they can, among other things, get to work, the doctor and the store, as well as to create more jobs, save time and money, and keep our best and brightest right here in Indiana. The commercials can be viewed at http://www.indyconnect.org/pages/Multimedia/.

The public is invited to learn more about this year’s study of the Red, Blue and Green lines during a Webinar on Jan. 22 at 7 p.m.  To register, visit www.indyconnect.org. The Webinar will be recorded and available on the website.

In addition to this initial Webinar, the public will have multiple opportunities to engage throughout the process.  Public meetings will begin in late February and be held in multiple locations throughout the region.  Details about those public meetings and additional opportunities to get engaged will soon be available at www.indyconnect.org. 

A fully implemented Indy Connect plan will connect more people to more places, easier than ever before. The plan includes more local buses on the streets, meaning reduced wait times and extended hours of service; as well as the addition of new rapid transit service throughout the region. It would complement IndyGo’s recently announced Downtown Transit Center, a federally funded project that would serve as a central hub downtown for destinations, boardings and transfers.

For more information on the Indy Connect plan, visit us at www.indyconnect.org, or join us on Facebook and Twitter.

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