Indianapolis Going Big on Transit Planning

Kellie Hwang reports on the ridership figures from the first month of operation on the IndyGo Red Line bus rapid transit line in Indianapolis.

Ridership on the IndyGo Red Line surpassed 230,000 in the first month of Indianapolis' new rapid transit bus service.

IndyGo last week reported 230,651 boardings in September, or an average of nearly 7,700 per day. Total bus ridership systemwide was up 30%.  

The Red Line has been free to ride since it launched Sept. 1. Nov. 11 is the planned date for tickets to be required, which is expected to affect ridership.

Despite that expected initial effect when fares are no longer free, IndyGo planners have more good transit news on the way in the spring, when the Marion County Transit Plan will roll out improved bus frequencies, longer hours of operation, and easier transfers.

All these improvements are made possible by a dedicated income tax supported by voters in 2016, before a delay and then approval by the City-County Council. Initial investments in the IndyGo bus system, made possible by the new tax revenue, also proved beneficial to bus ridership in 2018.