CIRTA - Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority
We apologize for sending the previous message in error.  This is the correct version of CIRTA's March e-news.

New reverse commute service to start

We are excited to report that on April 2, CIRTA will launch the Indy Express Bus reverse commute service to Fishers and Carmel.  For several years, commuters from Hamilton County have enjoyed the availability of weekday express bus service to downtown Indianapolis.  A federal Job Access Reverse Commute grant will enable Indianapolis residents to board Indy Express Bus at Pennsylvania and Ohio, ride to the park-and-ride lots in Carmel and Fishers, then connect to shuttle buses that will circulate through employment sites in each community.

 

Times vary, but the shuttle schedules allow workers to arrive at Carmel and Fishers workplaces as early as 6:30 a.m. and as late as 9:00 a.m.  Workplace departure times range between 3:45 p.m. and 6:15 p.m.  Vehicles will shuttle passengers to the park-and-ride lots, where they will board Indy Express Buses and continue their commute back downtown.  Schedules are being finalized this week, and will be posted at www.indyexpressbus.com by April 2. 

 

While the shuttles from park-and-ride lots are free, there is a reverse commute one-way fare of $3 for Indy Express Bus; IndyGo riders who show a valid IndyGo pass may ride for $1 one-way. With increased gas prices, and availability of jobs at many Hamilton County workplaces, we anticipate the reverse commute could connect hundreds of workers with jobs, and also offer an affordable alternative to driving from Marion County to Hamilton County. The federal grant may be renewed after a year based on ridership.

 

Indy Express Bus' weekday service for in-bound commuters has changed its schedule due to the new reverse commute, and added a new stop on the IUPUI campus. To provide even more value to commuters, the service has reduced its monthly pass price by $30 to $150. Daily fares for in-bound commuters at peak times remain $5 each way.  Schedules are available at www.indyexpressbus.com

 

Watch future editions of this newsletter, or www.cirta.us, for announcements about an upcoming reverse commute service to the Plainfield industrial park area.

 

Carpooling a few days a week saves money

With gas prices on the rise, now is a great time to start sharing your ride to work. Even a few days a week of carpooling can help you save money on your commute. Don't know anyone in your office who lives near you?  Central Indiana Commuter Services (CICS) can help you find someone to carpool or vanpool with to work.  CICS' free rideshare matching program can help you find other people interested in sharing rides.  To review your potential carpool matches, you don't have to make any commitment - simply sign up, enter information about your commute, and see if others might be available to share your ride.  Go to http://www.327ride.net/ and click on "Sign Up Now."

 

IndyGo announces Call for Projects - opened February 28

IndyGo announced availability of Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funds for transportation projects serving low income individuals and individuals with disabilities. Funding sources include Job Access Reverse Commute (JARC) and New Freedom Transportation grant programs. The JARC program provides funding for transportation targeted for low income individuals to access jobs or job related services. The New Freedom program provides funding for transportation alternatives targeted for persons with disabilities that extend beyond the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). 

Applicants eligible to receive JARC and New Freedom funding include: public and private operators of public transportation, authorized units of local government, and private not-for-profit organizations. As these are federal grant funds, there is a local match requirement of 20% for "capital" projects and 50% for "operating" projects. Grant applicants must be able to secure and provide matching resources to be eligible to receive funding.  For additional information check out the IndyGo grants page or contact Roscoe Brown, IndyGo Director of Coordinated Transportation Programs, at (317) 614-9318 or [email protected].

 

Federal policy update   

On March 14, the US Senate passed the "Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century", or MAP-21,in a bipartisan vote of 74 - 22.  This bill re-authorizes federal transportation programs for two years at current spending levels.  The House of Representatives has yet to pass a re-authorization bill and is likely to debate another extension of the current transportation program, which expires on March 31. 

 

Next CIRTA Board meeting is March 28 at 9:00 AM

The next CIRTA Board meeting is at 9:00 AM on Wednesday, March 28, 2012, in the 9th floor conference room of the Chamber of Commerce Building, 320 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46204. The meeting is open to the public.

 

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