It seems that yesterday’s post was not the last one of the month after all.  Near the end of posting my blog yesterday, the computer crashed on me and after I recovered it was time to go home.  So here a few additional transit-related items:

IndyGo to hire up to 50 bus drivers in 2013

Source: Fox59 News

Thursday, November 29 2012
1:30 PM EST

Indianapolis — IndyGo announced Thursday their plans to hire dozens of additional bus drivers in 2013 in response to their plans to increase frequency on core routes, add weekend services and a new crosstown route on the city’ north side.
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INVESTORS BUSINESS DAILY
Apple Maps Chief Williamson Fired Over Application  (excerpt)

By Doug Tsuruoka, Investor’s Business Daily
Posted: Tuesday 11/27/2012 06:51 PM ET

Apple (AAPL) has fired Richard Williamson, the manager overseeing its mapping software team, according to multiple media reports Tuesday, the latest top executive to fall over the tech titan’s flawed Maps application.

Williamson’s apparent termination comes after Apple’s new mapping software was criticized by analysts and consumers for unreliable landmark searches and routes and a lack of public transit directions.
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Conservation Day

Indiana Statehouse
200 W Washington St
Indianapolis IN 46204

Wednesday, January 23 2013
8:30am – 1:30pm

Contact: mbrock@hecweb.org

Conservation Day is an incredible opportunity to show our elected officials that Hoosiers care about protecting our precious natural resources and preserving our environment. Meet your legislator at our reception and talk to them about how important conservation and preservation of our natural resources is to you. Prior to Conservation Day we will record a web-ex presentation with topics to be discussed with your legislator. Remember, the more people that attend Conservation Day, the bigger the impact. Come for the whole day or just for your lunch hour. Carpool with co-workers, friends and family or take a brisk walk to the statehouse, and help make a difference!  Register today at the Nature Conservancy! 

http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/indiana/partners/conservation-day-2013.xml
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Transit Day at the Statehouse

Wednesday, February 13 2013
12:00am – 12:00am

Indiana Statehouse
200 W Washington St
Indianapolis IN 46204

Contact: mbrock@hecweb.org

 Mass Transit Day at the Indiana Statehouse will be a dedicated lobbying day for mass transit advocates; a chance to meet with your legislators, ask questions, share information, and urge them to support funding for mass transit!

Details to come soon. For more information, contact Tim Maloney, HEC’s Senior Policy Director.
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A REMINDER

Signatures for the on line petition supporting dedicated local funding for mass transit are still needed so if you have not yet signed it or told your friends, families and colleagues it is time to do so; go to www.indianacat.org or www.cirta.us to access and share the petition.

As always, the transit community thanks you for your support.

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Spend some time outside today enjoying the beautiful weather we are having here in Indianapolis on this last day of November 2012. 

Until next time.  .   .

Recently I received an invitation to participate in a transit focus group meeting to be held from 5 – 6 p.m. on November 28th 2012 at the Glendale Library.  It was very last minute and required a very prompt reply.  It had been forwarded to me by a gentleman in IndyGo who knows me as a transit activist.

We were promised cash at the conclusion for our full participation.  Well, how could I turn down an offer like that?  After serving as a transit advocate for over 10 years someone finally offered to pay me for my input!  The e-mail I received indicated that participants would be providing feedback on new Indy Connect marketing materials – specifically a map.

We were directed to a room in the back of the library and while I did not take a head count, there were about 20 people plus the facilitators in the room.  We came in, signed in and made a name tag for ourselves.  Most of the participants were adults in their 40′s or 50′s but there also a few college students and senior citizens.  After it was announced that everyone expected to attend was present, the meeting began promptly at 6.

We were asked a series of rapid-fire general questions which we answered orally, such as whether or not we had heard of Indy Connect and what came to mind hearing the term “Indy Connect”.  One of the first questions asked how many of us were regular riders of IndyGo buses and only 2 of us (myself and another transit activist) raised our hands!  Were were absolutely stunned/gob-smacked/incredulous!  More on that later.

Apparently the few who had ridden buses infrequently had done so while traveling in other cities or countries.  And the questions went both ways as it was clear to myself and my colleague that these folks had no clues about route maps/points of reference.  Some wanted a level of detail on one 8 1/2 x 11 inch piece of paper that would have been a visual nightmare and a lack of aware of the difference between a route map and a system map; we were reviewing system maps only.

After the initial set of general questions first one and then later another map was distributed for viewing.  These are draft/preliminary maps of possible routes for Bus  Rapid Transit (BRT) to be added to the metro area.

From the Indy Connect Website: BRT is a bus service that has a more modern look than a conventional bus, runs every 7.5 to 15 minutes and controls traffic signals to reduce travel time. BRT has frequent stops.  Under this plan, BRT has been added to highly traveled streets to connect with other bus, roads, and bike and pedestrian pathways

The only difference between the maps was that one showed connection points between other BRT routes and regular bus routes.  A new round of questions related to the maps were asked, again in quick succession, such as: What do you think when you look at the map, do you like the colors, etc.

All the participants were expected to express their opinion and those who were not forthcoming were called upon to respond.  The hour went quickly, maps were collected and the cash was distributed.

I was determined to find out how participants were selected and what criteria was used in the decision making process.  Because I had a bus to catch I did not have the luxury of time to sit around and chitchat so I got a phone number and name and did some on-line research to determine this person’s affiliation.  Although I was told the gentleman was with Indy Connect, that was not the case; he was with a marketing company but has had significant involvement with Indy Connect. Today I located his e-mail address and sent off a note with the following questions:

• By what means and criteria were participants selected?
• Was minimizing the involvement of the transit-dependent population an oversight or by design?
• Why was a more conscious effort to recruit those of us who are “in the trenches” not made?
• Who prepared the draft maps we viewed: are they available on line for viewing?

When I get a reply I will let you know what I have learned; of course the answers may lead to additional questions.

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Hello fellow green pedestrians  – I have been away for a while, busy with other tasks, but I am here to share some exciting developments in local transit developments:

Nov 7th – IndyGo Public Hearings: Proposed 2013 Service Changes

On Monday, October 15, the City-County Council unanimously voted to infuse the IndyGo budget with additional funds that will allow for added service in 2013. IndyGo hosted two public hearings on Wednesday, November 7 to announce the service improvement plans for 2013 and give the public opportunity to provide feedback on the proposed service changes.

To develop the plans for improvements, IndyGo considered its board-adopted service standard guidelines, the in-depth comprehensive operational analysis (COA or Indy Connect Bus Plan), and input from employees, community members and customers.

The proposed changes will be phased in during 2013, with major frequency improvements to routes 8, 10 and 39 slated for February 2013. The launch of a new crosstown route along 86th/82nd Street, route frequency improvements and other service alignments are planned for June 2013, and additional tweaks to schedules and routing could occur in October 2013.

The presentation given at the November 7 public hearings is available on the IndyGo website (http://www.indygo.net/pages/2013-service-improvements?in_ref=eyepiece) in a PDF format (PDF, 4MB) as is the press release issued in advance of the hearings.

Held at the Indiana History Center, I attended the evening session which was well-attended by cautiously optimistic but enthusiastic supporters of transit.  We were not disappointed; Indygo was there with materials and to answer our (many) questions.

The proposed 2013 service changes include:

Route 5: All westbound trips will terminate at 36th Street and Totem Lane. Service to Elmira Street will be eliminated.

Route 8: Doubling frequency weekdays (from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes), early morning through early evening between the Indianapolis Zoo and German Church Road.

Route 10: Improving frequency weekdays (from every 30 minutes to every 20 minutes), early morning through early evening between the near west side and German Church Road.

Route 11: All trips will terminate at Western Select. Service rerouted at 16th Street and Arlington Avenue to travel on 16th Street beyond Arlington Avenue to Shadeland Avenue. Service to 33rd and Post (Crossroads) will be eliminated. Route 2C will still serve Crossroads.

Route 12: Most trips will be extended to terminate at Keystone and National Avenues.

Route 13: Most trips will be extended to terminate at Keystone and National Avenues.

Route 14: Service will be extended to Emerson Avenue at Thompson Road (Kmart). Southeastern Avenue/Ritter Avenue/Raymond Street loop would be eliminated. Frequency will decrease to every 45 minutes during weekday peak and every 60 minutes off-peak.

Route 19: Doubling frequency weekdays (from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes), early morning through early evening. Service on 96th Street will be eliminated. Inbound service will be rerouted from Washington Boulevard to Central Avenue. Will connect with new route 86.

Route 21: Service to Mitthoefer Road at 30th Street will be eliminated. Service may be added between Noble of Indiana and Washington Street and German Church Road. Route 87 will serve Mitthoefer with improved frequency.

Route 28: All trips would end at St. Vincent Women’s Hospital. Evening and weekend service to the Pyramids and Westlane and Michigan Roads will be eliminated. Route 34 will serve Michigan Road and St. Vincent seven days a week. Will connect with the new Route 86.

Route 30: Arlington Avenue service will be eliminated. All trips will travel on Shadeland Avenue. Route 3 will still serve Arlington Avenue.

Route 31: Addition of a 9:20 p.m. outbound trip from downtown to Greenwood Park Mall.

Route 34: Addition of Sunday service and late night trips on weekdays and Saturdays. Service to 9900 N. Michigan Road (ITT) will be eliminated with all trips terminating at St. Vincent Hospital. Will connect with new route 86.

Route 39: Improving frequency weekdays (from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes), early morning through early evening.

Route 86: A new route, 86th St. Crosstown, will run between Trader’s Point and Community North Hospital with 30 minute frequency. Will connect with routes 4, 18, 19, 26, 28, 37, 34.

Route 87: Doubling frequency weekdays (from every 60 minutes to every 30 minutes), early morning through early evening.

To give comments on the proposed service changes, visit IndyGo’s online comment form, or call at 317.635.3344.

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Striding Toward Healthy Communities: Indiana’s Active Transportation Conference.

The Striding Toward Healthy Communities: Indiana’s Active Transportation Conference was held from November 13 – 14, 2012.  Mobile workshops were held on Tuesday, November 13 (Tuesday afternoon) and the the full-day conference itself was presented on Wednesday, November 14, at the Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites. Materials can be viewed on the conference website at either the hyperlink above or:

http://www.healthbydesignonline.org/12Conf.html.

I attended the full-day conference.  It was a fantastic day for active transportation professionals and advocates.  The sessions were information packed, inspiring and relevant. The session topics and guest speakers were:

Improving Public Health through Active Transportation
Dr. Susan Polan, American Public Health Association

Transportation Equity: Creating Economic Opportunity and Health for All
Anita Hairston, PolicyLink

Walk This Way: Campaigns to Improve Neighborhood Walkability
Tom Samuels, City of Chicago

Retrofitting Suburbia: Making Sprawl Sustainable
Ellen Dunham-Jones, Georgia Tech

Organizing People and Projects to Maximize Impact
Eric Friedman, Housing and Community Solutions

At the end I came away with a sense that momentum is building for developing a more sustainable infrastructure, some new/good ideas and a renewed sense of purpose (as well as copious notes).

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IndyConnect NOW Relaunch

The IndyConnect NOW Relaunch was held at the Artsgarden in downtown Indianapolis on Thursday, November 15, 2012 and I was there to see what this greatly anticipated event had to share with transit supporters.

A collaborative effort between Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) and IndyGo, IndyConnect    (http://www.indyconnect.org/pages/home/) the relaunch seeks to bring together community members to voice support mass transit systems in Central Indiana and to bring mass transit issues to the ballot.  By providing Central Indiana with transportation alternatives, IndyConnect aspires to improve transit options, air quality as well as the economy by providing adequate access to jobs, education, and health care to Central Indiana residents.

From the article written by IndyStar reporter Robert Scheer/6:52 PM, Nov 15, 2012

Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard on mass transit: ‘Now is the time’

A year ago, Mayor Greg Ballard met privately with key lawmakers on the eve of the
legislative session to tell them he wanted their help to create a mass transit system in Central Indiana. That effort failed. As lawmakers prepare to convene for the upcoming session, Ballard went to his bully pulpit. He told a crowd of supporters Thursday at the Indianapolis Artsgarden in Downtown Indianapolis that the city is vibrant and has benefited from investments in the airport and Downtown. But it lags, he said, on transit. “Now is the time for Indianapolis to invest in a first-class transit system,” Ballard said. “I ask our legislators to give us the tools we need to make this investment in our transit system. And to all the residents of Indianapolis, I encourage you to call your state legislators and urge them to pass Indy Connect Now.” Indy Connect Now is the latest name for a coalition of government, community and business leaders that are advocating for a $1.3 billion mass transit overhaul. About half could be paid for federally. The coalition needs the Indiana General Assembly to approve a referendum and funding mechanism to pay for the local share. They want to give voters in Marion and Hamilton counties the choice to raise income taxes by three-tenths of 1 percent to pay the local share. The plan would double the size of IndyGo and add light-rail service on a government-owned rail line from Noblesville through Fishers to Union Station. If voters approve the referendum in a special election in 2013, construction could begin in 2014 and the plan could be completed by 2022. Other counties could choose to opt in and add their own services over time. Westfield Mayor Andy Cook, former IU Health Chief Operating Officer Sam Odle and Central Indiana Corporate Partnership President and CEO Mark Miles also spoke in favor of the transit plan. Other supporters in attendance included Democratic City-County Councilman John Barth, Noblesville Mayor John Ditslear and Hamilton County Commissioner Christine Altman.

Follow Star reporter Chris Sikich on Twitter at twitter.com/ChrisSikich. Call him at (317) 444-6036.

On a personal note I cannot emphasize enough the need to contact your legislator and let her/him know you support the IndyConnect NOW Relaunch and that you want them to show their support also when the measure comes up for a vote.

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UPCOMING EVENTS

The Hoosier Environmental Council’s 5th Annual Greening the Statehouse forum will be held on Saturday, December 1st from 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM at the University of Indianapolis. Get more details and register here.

The Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities’ 18th annual conference, themed “Community Connections”, will take place on December 4-5 at the Westin Hotel in Downtown Indianapolis. In addition to numerous sessions with state and local partners, the agenda features: Dr. Richard Jackson, notable for his work on Designing Healthy Communities; Fred Kent, founder and president of Project for Public Spaces; and Antonio Riley, the Midwest Regional Administrator for HUD. Make plans now to attend one or both days.

Finally, please note that master planning for Indianapolis Greenways is underway! More information is available online here; in addition, an office has been established at the Monon and 38th Street (open Wednesdays from 8 AM – 5 PM) for the public to stop in and provide input.

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Until next time, I wish you all a Thanksgiving filled with contentment and job.  And please remember those who are less fortunate by lightening their burden where and when you can.

The Green Pedestrian

Greetings! For the first part of September, I went to Michigan for a family event. The plan was to hitch a ride with relatives to Michigan and return to Indianapolis via AMTRAK or Megabus. I was thinking of returning by Megabus as I have not tried them before, but felt I still needed to review my options first.

Travel time for each was virtually the same; the bus ride was only 20 minutes longer than the train. Knowing from past experience that AMTRAK could run considerably late, I assumed Megabus could do no worse. The difference in fare was $13; $56 for AMTRAK and $43 for Megabus [$19 Detroit --> Chicago and $21 Chicago --> Indianapolis + a $3 booking fee; had I booked sooner I would have paid less].

I also needed to consider where passengers were dropped off since I needed to catch a city bus for the remainder of my trek home. The train station is not close to “the loop” where most of the buses circulate downtown while Megabus drops passengers across the street from a centrally located bus stop. Accessing a city bus from the AMTRAK station meant a long walk to a bus stop (20 minutes perhaps) with luggage in tow and a likelihood of missing the targeted bus.  On the other hand, it was simply a matter of crossing the street after deboarding Megabus to catch a city bus home. Given their respective locations this was a simple decision; it was time to explore Megabus.

I booked my tickets perhaps a week before my departure date and within 10 minutes received my e-reservation which I printed out. Each leg of the trip (Detroit –> Chicago and Chicago –> Indianapolis) had a separate fare and separate reservation number.

The first bus was scheduled to leave from the Rosa Parks Transit Center in downtown Detroit, Michigan at 6:30 a.m. and arrive in Chicago (adjacent to Union Station) at 11:10 a.m.. We left sufficient early in the event of delays (traffic, wrong turns, etc.) and entered the address into the GPS. Even so, we missed the designated exit and then the next one, but turned off at the third one and followed the GPS directives to the site. The transit center is topped with a series of canvas panels giving one the impression of entering a ship. The building is designed to serve those riding the city bus in Detroit and was equipped with restrooms, seating, bus schedules and an information center. I located the Megabus stop and waited.

The e-ticket instructs passengers to arrive 15 minutes before departure time; I was 30 minutes early and the first arrival. By the time the bus arrived it was nearly 6:30 a.m. and a small cluster of waiting passengers had formed in the dark. The boarding procedure is to wait at the rear of the bus if you have luggage (to stow) then get in line for boarding. As you board the bus, have your e-ticket in your hand; the driver will ask for the first 6 digits of your reservation number .By the time everyone was seated, it was 6:37 a.m. , so we were a bit late in leaving.

Since this particular bus was one of the double-decker buses, I was lucky enough to sit in the very front on the right which provided a great view of everything we would be passing on our way to the windy city. A word of caution however; there was cool air constantly blowing at ankle level which some passengers found it too cool for their taste and covered themselves with blankets they had brought, coats and even sections of the newspaper. On the way we made three stops: two to pick up additional passengers ( Wayne State University and Ann Arbor) and a rest stop in Marshall Michigan. Since I had not yet had breakfast, I bought a sandwich at the rest stop which included a Hardee’s restaurant. The sandwich did not settle well in my stomach but the bus was very comfortable and provided a great ride and opportunity to nap. Nearing Chicago, we breezed through 3 or 4 toll stations.

We arrived almost exactly on time in downtown Chicago and deboarded; I had a layover which provided time to explore. The e-ticket indicated that bus from Chicago to Indianapolis would depart at 1:30 p.m.; I realized that my layover was not 2 but 3 hours as Chicago is on CST while Indy is on EST. I asked a security officer directions to the Union Station and made my way there. After waiting in line to use the women’s facilities, I headed out to the food court to see what looked good. I wasn’t very hungry and settled for a small item on the McDonald’s value menu. After eating, I walked around the station, grabbed some brochures on transit options including a water taxi. I then went back outside and after walking around a bit spent the remainder of the layover seeking shade in a bus shelter.

Finally I thought my bus had arrived as it was now late but it was another bus; this one bound for Minneapolis. My bus finally arrived, loaded luggage by destination (very efficient I thought), boarded the passengers and finally left 33 minutes late with no explanation nor apology for such tardiness. This bus however was not a double-decker so I sat on the east side of the bus to avoid baking in the sun all the way home. While Megabus does furnish sunshades on their windows, they did not seem to adequately block out the sunlight. When I adjusted my airflow vent to maximum, I noticed most of the passengers were doing the same.

Since I chose to sit on the left side of the bus for the shade it was difficult to see most of the signage along the way. We also passed through another 3 or 4 tolls stations with no problem except for the last one where the bus sat for 15 – 20 minutes before the toll arm was raised and we were finally on our way. The remainder of the ride was an uneventful but pleasant ride through what was mostly farmland until we approached the outskirts of Indianapolis. We were scheduled to arrive at 5:45 p.m. but did not roll in until 6:20 p.m. Retrieving my lugging was a fairly quick process , but I had missed my intended city bus home. This derailed my plans for meeting with a friend to take me to pick my cat up at the kitty hotel (vet hospital).

By now I had developed a bit of an appetite so found an open restaurant, ordered some food to go and nibbled on my pita sandwich while waiting for the city bus home. It arrived at nearly 7:30 p.m. and I walked in the door at five minutes before 8 p.m. I was tired but glad to be home.

I do recommend riding Megabus but be prepared to adapt if you arrive late at your destination, especially if there is more than one segment to your trip. The rates are more than reasonable, the seats very comfortable, the drop off locations convenient and the number of destinations growing. So leave the car at home and ride the bus!

Thank you for reading my blog and remember to help keep the air clean by riding mass transit, biking, walking or car/van pooling..

Hello Indianapolis! It’s been a busy time for supporters of transit and sustainable communities. Here are the latest updates:

INDYGO TO END DOWNTOWN-TO-AIRPORT ROUTE SEPT. 16

IndyGo will terminate its nonstop Green Line route between the Indianapolis International Airport and Downtown at 9 p.m. Sept. 16.
IndyGo has paid for the service with a non-renewable $3 million federal grant it obtained in 2007. One of IndyGo’s popular routes, more than 29,000 one-way trips recorded this year and 45,000 in 2011. The grant covered 80 percent of the cost and fares covered the remainder.
IndyGo, according to a news release, does not plan to renew the route. It was conceived as a demonstration to show demand for a direct route with limited stops. Visitors and residents still can ride local Route 8, which also runs between the airport and Downtown seven days a week. Westbound buses to the airport stop along Ohio Street Downtown and at Zone 6 at the airport. The trip to the airport takes 45 minutes. It’s IndyGo’s most popular route, averaging more than 100,000 passenger trips each month.
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Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation
2013 Proposed Budget
Public Hearing, 16 August 2012 – Highlights
OVERVIEW OF PROPOSED BUDGET AND OPERATIONS

2013 Proposed Budget:
• $65,646,437 in revenues for operating
• Includes base property tax allocation
• Proposes special levy
• Total increase of $8.3M over 2012 revised budget
Operating revenues
• Federal Assistance (Federal Transit Administration) – 22%
• State Funds (State budget line item) – 19%
• Local Funds (Marion County Property Tax) – 39%
• Passenger Farebox Revenue – 17%
• Other – 2%
2013 Expenditure Assumptions
• Maintain current fixed route service and fares
• Increase service levels in 2013 according to the Comprehensive Operational Analysis and Service Standard Guidelines
• A 1% wage adjustment in 2013
• While fuel is budgeted at the same level as 2012, the market has unpredictable fluctuations
• An increase in employee health benefits has been budgeted at 5%
• Base property tax rate $0.0538/$100 assessed value
• Special property tax levy at $0.0332/$100 assessed value
• State funding down approximately $29,000 (State funding is a 2-year budget line item)
• Federal assistance up approximately $2.8 million as a result of the two-year Transportation Bill passed by Congress in June (MAP-21)
• Fare revenue projected to increase 6% due to growing ridership trends
• No funds from cumulative capital fund used to operate
Proposed Budget at $65M
• No service reductions or fare hikes
• Improved frequency on key corridors
• Adding weekend service on some routes
• A new route
• Improvements would be based on Comprehensive Operational Analysis (Indy Connect Bus Plan)
Budget Proposal Recap
• Committed to not raising fares or reducing service
• $65M budget would fund expansion – “Challenge budget”
• City-County Council has binding review of IndyGo budget and may:
o Approve
o Deny
o Amend (reduce proposed budget)
Next steps and timeline
• Monday, August 27 –IPTC Board of Directors approve budget
• Thursday, September 20 –Municipal Corporations Committee – IndyGo presents budget. Public comment accepted
• Monday, October 1 – City-County Council Public Hearing
• Tuesday, October 2 – Municipal Corporation Committee final budget review and recommendation
• Monday, October 15 –City-County Council approves budget

[City-County Council meetings are held in the City County Building downtown.]
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PUBLIC HEARING: PROPOSED 2013 BUDGET FOR INDYGO NOTES

On Thursday, August 16th, IndyGo held their annual public hearing on their budget proposal for the upcoming fiscal year.

Despite the rain coming down by the bucket, it did not dissuade people from attending; there were virtually no empty seats available once those present had settled in. MAC (Mobility Advisory Committee) was very well represented as a number of members or disability advocates had questions for the IndyGo Board at the end of the meeting.

There were handouts and a PowerPoint presentation facilitated by IndyGo President and CEO Michael Terry. IndyGo’s board is proposed annual budget seeks a modest $6 million increase to begin expanding service next year. The transit service — which has slashed service repeatedly for years — would use the money to add more frequency to high-demand routes, expand service hours and add a new route (not yet disclosed).

Terry said he submitted two options to the board: a $59 million plan that retains current service and fares, and a $65 million budget that allows for the service increases. Later this month, the board will choose which option to send to the City-County Council for approval. “This is a first start allowing our city to demonstrate their commitment to investing in our system,” he said.

Council President Maggie Lewis says she’s willing to consider the request. “I have been a strong advocate for IndyGo,” she said. “At some point, it’s going to take us doing something bold and bigger to take our transit system to another level. I actually applaud Mike Terry for stepping out” with his budget.

Amid talk of expansion, IndyGo’s ridership has been growing. Its fixed routes carried 777,651 riders in July, and ridership is up 11.4 percent so far this year. The recent moves could help IndyGo begin to make inroads on its lackluster standing. It offers fewer routes and longer waits for riders between buses than better-funded transit agencies in cities of a similar size. In the coming year, transit supporters are hoping to gain traction on a longer-term funding solution for IndyGo.

The Central Indiana Transit Task Force plans to ask the General Assembly to authorize a voter referendum in Marion and Hamilton counties. It would pay for a 10-year, $1.3 billion plan backed by an income tax increase. The plan would pay to double IndyGo bus service and would add train service from Noblesville to Downtown Indianapolis.

Next year is the second shot in the legislature. This year, despite lobbying by Ballard and local business leaders, the bill was caught up and derailed during the right-to-work debate.

IndyGo ridership up almost 20% to start the year, 7th-largest gain in country
Job growth, gas prices, Super Bowl are cited for IndyGo’s ridership jump
Ditch the car. Take the bus. That’s the message more people in Indianapolis might be following this year.

The number of riders on the city’s IndyGo municipal transit service jumped nearly 20 percent in the first three months of this year compared with the first three months of 2011, according to data released this week by the American Public Transportation Association. That’s a jump from 2.1 million riders to 2.5 million — the seventh-largest increase in bus ridership of any city in the country. …
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INDY DOWNTOWN BUS TERMINAL PLAN TAKES A NEW DIRECTION

After nearly a decade of talk and delays, IndyGo soon could pull out of the station with a plan to build a Downtown transit center to serve as most routes’ transfer point. It would be built on a city-owned parking lot, located across Washington Street from the City-County Building.

IndyGo and city leaders plan to press forward despite a recent setback: Because of the delays, federal officials yanked half of $23 million that had been set aside in federal grants.

They said the project still might be possible, even with less money available.

Transit agency officials are forging ahead on the transit center despite learning about the funding loss late last month.

The transit center project had been set to receive $28 million, including about $5 million set aside as a local match for the federal grants. Now about $11.5 million remains of the federal portion. Terry says it looks unlikely the feds will reverse the decision.

But IndyGo and city leaders say that, with their sights now on the parking lot near the City-County Building, the project still might be possible even without some of the federal grants.

That’s because acquiring the city-owned land likely would cost much less than a privately owned site. The parcel is on the north side of the Marion County Jail and provides parking for the sheriff’s employees, for police and for the Crime Lab.

Terry says the 1.9 acre site is centrally located, across the street from city hall and the Cultural Trail on Washington Street, a Downtown artery. IndyGo easily could feed most of its routes into the hub as a transfer point.

The center could include up to 24 bus docking areas, plus room for businesses and vendors. It also might accommodate Megabus and Greyhound intercity service.

The project has a winding history. The late U.S. Rep. Julia Carson obtained federal money through congressional earmarks in the early 2000s, and the Federal Transit Administration later grouped them into grants.

But the project struggled to get off the ground under former Mayor Bart Peterson and then under Mayor Greg Ballard; securing a site was the primary obstacle.

The U.S. Postal Service’s Downtown facility on South Street seemed promising — but after years of talks, the federal agency decided to keep its lease. They restarted the site search several times, only fixing on the current site in the past year.

Officials were ready to start negotiations with the Marion County Building Authority to acquire the site and to seek site approval from the federal agency.

But that’s when IndyGo lost some of the grants, which had been sitting unused for more than five years. The delay made them targets for federal auditors to pull back for other projects.

But Terry said he doesn’t see the decision as “catastrophic.” IndyGo soon will seek bids for a site study. Design work could follow over the next year, with construction starting by early 2014. The center could open that year or in 2015.

Ballard’s spokesman said the Republican mayor supported proceeding with the site, which could present opportunities for private partnerships — particularly on an underground parking garage.

But many details remain to be worked out.

Lewis, the Democratic council president, says that while a transit hub makes sense, she wants to hear public input before the site is locked up.

“I want to see where that conversation takes us,” she said, “and also would like to hear from the merchants Downtown and the individuals who actually use our bus system.”

Terry said the loss of the transit center grant money came just days before he received good news: IndyGo won a new $10 million Federal Transit Agency grant.

That money, however, can be used only to purchase buses, Terry said. IndyGo will buy about 25 buses to replace older stock.

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CIRTA WEBSITE: LEADERS WITH INDY CONNECT

Central Indiana’s Transportation Initiative is launching a speaker’s bureau to deliver information about transit to individuals and organizations throughout the region. The interactive Indy Connect presentation, which lasts 15-20 minutes, will give audiences a clear understanding of the Indy Connect plan, why transit is essential to our region’s future, and what’s happening to make Indy Connect a reality.

To arrange for a speaker, contact Sean White at 317-910-4558 or submit your request to: request@indyconnect.org
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THE INDY CONNECT PLAN

For those of you unfamiliar with The Indy Connect plan, it was adopted by regional leaders in 2010 and lays out a vision for investing in transportation infrastructure to help people get to work, health care, school and shopping faster and safer, while improving our environment and creating jobs.
Advocates are asking Indiana’s elected officials to support a referendum that would allow voters to decide whether they want to use local funds to support transit. “With the General Assembly looking to take action on transportation funding in January 2013, now is a good time to be informed on the plan, how it works, and what role individuals and organizations can play in shaping Central Indiana’s transportation future,” said Ehren Bingaman, executive director of CIRTA, one of the three organizations that make up the Indy Connect team. The other partners are IndyGo and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Bingaman said, “Transit is a wise investment in the prosperity of Indiana communities. Not only does it offer transportation for folks to get to work, it spurs economic development, helps attract and retain young professionals, and creates a more vibrant and connected Central Indiana.”

“We want people to understand how the plan affects them and their community so they can tell their legislators to let voters decide,” Bingaman added.
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COMPLETE STREETS INFORMATION
If you missed the memo, we now have a Complete Streets ordinance in Indianapolis! To learn more about what it is and what it means for the Indianapolis community to have a Complete Streets ordinance please visit http://www.theindycog.com/indycompletestreets for more information. You can view the ordinance language and general information on complete streets.

INDYCOG began as a blog in February 2009 with the goal of celebrating and promoting cycling in Indianapolis and providing a common ground for all types of cyclists to gather. In February of 2010, INDYCOG began to position themselves as Indy’s only bicycle education and advocacy group.

In addition to organizing community building and fundraising events like “2 Wheels, 1 City” and “Pedal Indy”, INDYCOG also advocates for cyclists by serving on the MPO’s Multi-Modal Task Force, DPW’s Bicycle Advisory Council, Health by Design’s Policy & Education Committees and various other policy-oriented committees and organizations. Furthermore, INDYCOG attempts to educate the cycling and non-cycling public by informational tables as events around the city of Indianapolis.
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INTERSTATE PASSENGER RAIL

For those of you interested in information in joining the conversation on the development of interstate passenger rail, please visit:
• Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC):

http://www.miprc.org/

• Midwest Regional Rail Initiative

http://www.miprc.org/Advocacy/MidwestRegionalRailInitiative/tabid/88/Default.aspx

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MISCELLANEOUS

When walking around town I am troubled by what seems to be a growing number of people posting signs about lost pets. It is a devastating and hopeless feeling to lose a pet but there are steps that can reduce the possibility of this happening:
• Dogs should either be on a leash or in a “bark park” AND they should be wearing a collar with your pet’s name, your phone number and any other contact information you consider pertinent. Cats are rarely leashed but they too should always have a collar on them if they are outside with their name and your contact information.
• Microchip you pet; there is no good excuse for not doing this (of course we are focusing mainly on cats and dogs) as it is painless, very quick and far cheaper than enduring the pain of a missing member of your family. If you have moved, contact the vendor of microchip to provide them with an update.
• Keep good and current photos of your pet in case you have to post a picture of your family member during a search effort.
• When moving to a new area, I always familiar my pet with the area around the residence so that if they get out without a collar they will be more likely to not get lost.
• If you do lose your pet, one of several sites post an ad (lost or found) and look for your missing friend at: indianalostandfound.blogspot.com
• And remember to always neuter or spay or pet?

Until our next chat, enjoy a safe and relaxing holiday weekend.

The Green Pedestrian

Greetings fellow transit supporters!  Recent and exciting developments I want to share with you this week:

A Victory for the Indianapolis Complete Streets Campaign!

As you may have heard, the Indianapolis Complete Streets ordinance was passed on Monday evening by a unanimous vote of the City-County Council. We are grateful for the support and hard work of ICAT’s partners, the unflagging commitment of several Council champions and the leadership of Mayor Ballard’s administration and the DPW team. What a great win for ICAT and the Indianapolis community.

 IndyGo Budget – Public Hearing

The public hearing on IndyGo’s proposed budget is schedule for Thursday, 8/16, at 5 PM. The leadership team has proposed a bold budget this year, one that needs our support. Please plan to attend and offer input or submit your comments in writing, by phone or online.

IndyConnect at the State Fair

Remember that IndyConnect Day at the state fair is on Friday, 8/17; park your car in the lot east of Rural at the Glendale Mall and ride the fair shuttle for FREE!!  Visit the Indiana Citizens’ Alliance for Transit booth to sign the petition supporting transit, get educated on regional transit development and see what an expanded transit system would mean for the region.

Honoring Green Innovation

As quaint as the notion of a garden party may seem, a statewide series of soirees planned for Saturday, Aug. 18, will illustrate the myriad ways in which Indiana’s gardens are breeding grounds for innovations in sustainable living. The celebrations are the brainchild of Sustainable Indiana 2016, which aims to foster “measureable progress toward sustainability by Indiana’s Bicentennial year 2016.” The various sites featured within Marion County include urban community gardens, a native species orchard, a science education garden, yard gardens and flower gardens. Several other parties are on tap statewide. Find locations at sustainableindiana2016.org under the “garden parties” tab.

Hello transit supporters –

Thanks to Hoosiers who have signed the online petition supporting dedicated local funding for mass transit, we’ve made a lot of progress over the past year. If you have not yet signed it, please visit www.indianacat.org or www.cirta.us to access and share the online petition.

But there’s much more work to do if we’re going to bring a 21st century transit system to Central Indiana and other communities around the state.

The next major step forward for mass transit requires that State Representatives and Senators pass a law giving Indiana communities the ability to fund transit locally. That local funding would most likely then be determined through a referendum process.

A few weeks ago, Indianapolis Star columnist Matthew Tully wrote a column that does a good job of outlining the challenges we face in this effort (see my blog from yesterday).  Mr. Tully makes a number of good observations in his column, but the main point is what he says we must do to succeed. As he said, “If backers of the transit plan want to meet that challenge, they need to quickly step up their efforts to rally the public…”

So transit advocates are calling on you for your help and support and to share some of the plans leading up to the 2013 General Assembly. Here are a few specific steps that will help do just that:

1. Please contact your state legislators and/or candidates in the next two weeks and let them know you support transit and that you want them to give communities the ability to fund transit with a local dedicated option. You can find your legislators at:

http://www.in.gov/sliverheader/Welcome.do?url=http://www.whoareyourelectedofficials.in.gov

and their contact info at: http://www.in.gov/legislative/2345.htm

When you email, write or phone them, be sure to share the reasons you believe improved transit is important for your community.

2. Ask your friends, neighbors and coworkers to get involved. Advocates have set a goal of securing 10,000 additional petition signatures by 12/31/12 (on top of the ~5000 we’ve got now). Can you please help us achieve that goal by encouraging everyone in your various personal and professional networks to sign? Visit www.indianacat.org or www.cirta.us to access and share the online petition.

3. Volunteer your time and energy to help out at events, speak to local groups, or assist our transit advocacy effort in other ways. For example, we still need to fill a few volunteer shifts at the state fair next week and at several other upcoming events. Can you help out? Do you know of a neighborhood association or civic group that needs to hear about our effort? Make an introduction or send us the contact info.

We’re counting on your input to help us determine where we need to be and what audiences we need to be contacting over the next few months. You’ve already told us you want to see improved transit service in Indiana. Now we hope you’ll put that desire into action and help us demonstrate that the public is indeed behind this effort.

Please don’t hesitate to let us know if you need more details or have questions about this effort by contacting www.indianacat.org. Thank you so much for your support!

The Green Pedestrian: 8 August 2012

Transit notes from ICAT (Indiana Citizens Alliance for Transit)

and Complete Streets Campaign Indiana

Input Opportunities

*  Complete Streets Campaign – On August 1, the Public Works Committee of the City-County Council approved the “Complete Streets” proposal.  This proposal requires planners and designers to build or reconstruct roads that have all users in mind; this would include not just cars, but bicycles, public transportation, pedestrians and people with mobility impairments.  Similar proposals have been adopted in over 350 cities nationwide including Bloomington, Evansville and Columbus.

The proposal now moves to the full City-County Council for consideration on August 13, 2012 at 7 p.m. – please contact your City County Councillor and ask them to support the Complete Streets Campaign.

*  IndyGo’s proposed 2013 budget – The public hearing for IndyGo’s proposed 2013 budget will be on Thursday, August 16, at 5 PM.

*  The Federal Railroad Administration has proposed new rules related to passenger train emergency preparedness that may impact people with disabilities; comments are due by August 27.  Further information is available at:
http://www.regulations.gov/#%21documentDetail;D=FRA-2011-0062-0001

Media and More
*  Congratulations to IndyGo, South Bend Transpo and MITS in Muncie on their recent State of Good Repair funding awards through the Federal Transportation Authority (FTA).

*  ICAT has received funding through the American Public Transportation Association’s (APTA) Local Coalition Grant Program for a project aimed at telling the stories of transit riders in Indiana. Through that, they hope to better engage riders in their advocacy efforts. If you have ideas for this project or suggestions, please contact Kim Irwin Executive Director, Alliance for Health Promotion at kirwin@acsm.org.

*  In his recent column in the Indianapolis Star (Mass transit efforts face tie-ups at Indiana Statehouse dated 8:29 AM, Jul. 22, 2012), Matthew Tully’s makes the point that we must better engage the general public in order to sway legislators,  The article can be found at: http://www.indystar.com/article/20120721/NEWS08/207210336/Matthew-Tully-Mass-transit-efforts-face-tie-ups-Indiana-Statehouse

Transit advocates are working hard to rally local officials and state lawmakers to their cause; show you are on board by writing your local and state legislators to let them know you support better transit funding and options.  The issue is not just about transportation but also about cleaner air, economic development along the routes, attracting young professionals to the region and creating a more vibrant and connected Central Indiana.

My name is Kat; I think of myself as a “professional pedestrian” because I either ride the bus or walk to get around town because I do not drive.  This blog will include issues related to mass transit, accessibility for non-drivers and tips on expanding environmental values and awareness.

I was born with a green mindset and due to a physical limitation have never driven a car (I do know how though). Having spent most of my life in California, I was grateful for: recent improved transit options for both transit dependent and choice riders (Sacramento specifically), sidewalks and a respectable level of attention to accessibility issues.  In 1998, I moved to Indiana to pursue a Master’s Degree in Public Affairs at IUB SPEA; after graduating I moved to Indianapolis.

So here is my first foray into blogging; if you are inspired by the information I provide, please support efforts at enhancing mass transit options in Indianapolis.

From the CIRTA (Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority) website (http://www.cirta.us):

Renewing the push for referendum-enabling legislation

Transit advocates are gearing up for the 2013 session of the Indiana General Assembly, where we hope to see legislation enacted that would allow counties to conduct referenda on dedicated local funding for transit. We have collected over 100 resolutions of support for referendum-enabling legislation. Help us reach 1,000! Resolutions have been passed by a wide range of groups, including churches, neighborhood associations, private companies, elected bodies, social service organizations, and more. For a full list, background information and a template resolution for your organization to adapt, visithttp://www.cirta.us/pages/resolutions/default.aspx.

Indy Connect Day at the State Fair

Join us at the Indiana State Fair for Indy Connect Day on Friday, August 17, 2012. See for yourself what Central Indiana’s transit future could look like, and learn about the alternative transportation options available today. Want to attend for free? We’re giving away tickets through Twitter and Facebook. For a chance to win a 4-pack of State Fair tickets, do one of the following by Thursday, July 26 at 5:00 p.m.:

• On Twitter, tweet “I’m attending @IndyConnect Day at the Indiana State Fair on Friday 8/17 with @cirta_us!”

• Or, on Facebook, post “I’m attending Indy Connect Day at the Indiana State Fair on Friday, August 17!” and tag CIRTA in the post. CIRTA is on Facebook athttp://www.facebook.com/cirta.us. You need to “like” our page to be able to tag us in your post.

• Post on both Twitter and Facebook to double your chances of winning!

We will see your tweet/post and enter your name into a drawing. On Friday morning, we will contact the winner via Facebook or Twitter to make arrangements to deliver the tickets.