CIRTA - Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority

Indiana General Assembly update

The 18% cut to the Public Mass Transportation Fund remains in the state budget bill, which is now under consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee.  Committee members heard testimony against the cut from transit agencies in late March.  As gas prices climb and transit ridership goes up, it becomes even more urgent to restore full PMTF funding in the 2012-2013 state budget. 

 

Public input needed on state long-range transportation plan

INDOT is collecting input from the public on their draft of the long-range transportation plan.  The plan sets the state's transportation priorities for the next 25 years and is updated every five years.  Read the draft plan and submit your comments here.

 

Federal government news

The federal budget agreement reached in Congress last Friday for the remainder of fiscal year 2011 (through September 30) makes steep cuts to transit funding.  Cuts from the FY 2010 funding levels include $400 million in from the Capital Investment Grants (New Starts) program with another $280 million in FY 2010 rescissions, $78 million from Amtrak Capital and Debt Service Grants, and $72 million from National Infrastructure Investments (TIGER).  $2.5 billion in new funding for high-speed rail was also eliminated, and $400 million in previous year high-speed rail funds will be rescinded.  More information is available here from the American Public Transportation Association.

 

Indy Express Bus news

Indy Express Bus has introduced a monthly pass available to daily riders for $180.  Regular fare costs $5 per one-way trip.  The monthly pass provides unlimited rides during one full calendar month and can be purchased online at www.IndyXpress.com.  The pass will soon be offered through WageWorks, a widely used provider of employer-sponsored commuter tax savings accounts.  The pass is already offered through Commuter Check.  Commuter tax savings accounts allow employers to deduct wages before they are taxed so that employees can use the untaxed earnings to purchase transit fare.  Assuming a pre-tax savings of 28%, the actual cost of purchasing the Indy Express Bus monthly pass with this type of account is $130.  IndyGo's monthly pass would be $43 after the savings.  Contact us if you'd like to learn more about employer-sponsored commuter benefits accounts. 

 

CIRTA website and Twitter feeds

CIRTA's website contains useful information about transportation options in the ten-county region.  We welcome you to add a link to www.cirta.us to your organization's website.  If you're on Twitter, follow us at http://twitter.com/cirta_us and http://twitter.com/ebingaman. 

 

Indy Talks and Leaders Listen

On May 17, learn about Indianapolis' history and share ideas for the future with a wide range of community leaders.  Transit will be one of the topics discussed at this unique event, featuring conversation with Ron Gifford (Central Indiana Transit Task Force), Ehren Bingaman (CIRTA) and Rafael Sanchez (Bingham McHale LLP).  For more info and free registration, visit http://indytalksandleaderslisten.eventbrite.com/?ref=estw. 

 

April CIRTA Board meeting

The next CIRTA Board of Directors meeting will take place on Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at 9:00 AM at IndyGo, 1501 W. Washington Street, Indianapolis 46222.  The public is welcome to attend. 

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200 E. Washington Street, Suite 2002, Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
P. 317.327.7588  |  F. 317.327.5908  |  E. [email protected]