Indianapolis' New BRT Stations and Buses Roll Out Soon; Here’s What They’re Like

The new Red Line bus rapid transit will include level boarding, pre-pay bus fare service at some stops, quiet electric buses, and USB chargers.

1 minute read

June 27, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By Casey Brazeal @northandclark


Indianapolis Cityscape

Rudy Balasko / Shutterstock

Indygo's new Red Line will debut September 1, but some of its electric buses are already in service on Route 8. "Many riders have already ridden on the shiny new buses, tested the USB chargers and experienced a quiet ride," Kellie Hwang reports for the Indianapolis Star. When Red Line service launches, it will also include improvements to stations, including sheltered platforms with level boarding so strollers and wheel chairs can board and alight more easily. "At rapid transit stations, riders will tap or scan at validators on the platforms before boarding," Hwang writes.

Besides feeling different for riders, electric buses are also a change for drivers. To prepare for the new service and familiarize drivers with the new vehicles, Indygo has created a training programs. "Some of the stations are curbside, while others are in the center of the road where drivers dock at the stations on opposite side of the bus. It's a bit of an adjustment learning how to dock, and Cox said the training takes about four to eight hours," Hwang writes.

Monday, June 24, 2019 in Indianapolis Star

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 23, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Ken Jennings stands in front of Snohomish County Community Transit bus.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series

The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

April 20, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

View of residential street in Los Angeles with palm trees and hazy city in distance.

Rebuilding Smarter: How LA County Is Guiding Fire-Ravaged Communities Toward Resilience

Los Angeles County is leading a coordinated effort to help fire-impacted communities rebuild with resilience by providing recovery resources, promoting fire-wise design, and aligning reconstruction with broader sustainability and climate goals.

April 27 - Los Angeles County Chief Sustainability Office

Entrance sign for San Jose-Santa Clara Regional wastewater treatment facility.

When Borders Blur: Regional Collaboration in Action

As regional challenges outgrow city boundaries, “When Borders Blur” explores how cross-jurisdictional collaboration can drive smarter, more resilient urban planning, sharing real-world lessons from thriving partnerships across North America.

April 27 - * A Placemaking Journal

Rendering of Penrose Roundabout in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Is Expanding its Network of Roundabouts

Roundabouts are widely shown to decrease traffic speed, reduce congestion, and improve efficiency.

April 27 - WHYY