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Indy Connect initiative could revamp Indiana’s economy
More bus stops, a railway system
and tollbooths could
be the key to improving
Indianapolis and
surrounding areas. By
constructing a new
transportation system,
Ehren Bingaman,
executive director for
Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority
(CIRTA), said Indiana could see
a positive return to its economy within
20 years.
The Central Indiana Task Force,
formed of Indianapolis’ three major
transportation organizations and corporations,
surveyed residents beginning
early in the year for opinions on
metro-Indy commuting systems. “We
had a lot of feedback,” Bingaman said.
“Folks are relatively positive about
where the community should be. There
are some folks that fall on a curve and
don’t like it. We’ve got folks who don’t
think we are going far enough.” With
overall positive feedback, Bingaman
said it’s time to move on to the next
step in planning.
Bingaman said railways and additional
bus routes would go from Indianapolis
to Carmel, passing through
the south side. It will create jobs and
generate more money for the state.
Once in place, businesses will see an
increase in customers along the stops.
New businesses will develop on every
side of town.
When researching how to improve
traffic congestion and public transportation,
Bingaman said the task force
viewed other cities which previously
implemented similar programs. Charlotte,
NC, built a railway through the
city. New businesses moved to be in
proximity to the transit line. In time, it
improved overall mobility.
The task force also looked at funding
and whether residents are willing
to pay additional taxes and fees. A railway
could cost $8.9 billion to build and
$2.8 million to maintain yearly. Tolled
express lanes could cost $21 million to
implement plus $13.2 to maintain but
could generate $29.1 million in income
annually. Buses already receive most of
the funding needed to operate and can
recover further expenses from riding
fees.
According to indyconnect.org, the
task force is considering two plans. The
first will not require extra funding, but
it also won’t fix problems like availability
of options for commuting to and
from jobs and traffic congestion. The
second will require more funds and
increase taxes, but it will address these
problems and more.
“The majority of responses are that
folks are willing to pay more and some
additional taxes,” Bingaman said. “On
that spectrum we have people who will
pay way more and people who don’t
want to pay anything at all. But the majority
understands the importance of
the investment. That has been a pleasant
surprise on the transit side to know
that there is a willingness to pay for
transportation.”
The task force will release information
and feedback they gathered this
fall. Anyone wishing to give feedback
and still do so at Indyconnect.org
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