New fare policy passed at packed board meeting

Video: IndyGo’s service upgrades explained

Over the objection of some Open Door paratransit users, IndyGo’s board has approved a new fare policy it says will benefit 70 percent of riders.

The plan, the first change in the bus system’s fare policy in 10 years, was approved Thursday and retains a base fare of $1.75 (and $0.85 half fare) and adds free transfers within two hours of a fare purchase. The new policy eliminates free fixed-route service for Open Door customers, though they are eligible for half-priced fare.

“Overwhelmingly, the public has been supportive of the proposed policy changes, with approximately 70 percent of survey responses being either very supportive or supportive,” said IndyGo’s Bryan Luellen, vice president of public affairs, in a report to the board.

“On the negative side, the highest comment type was regarding the elimination of the monthly pass, followed closely by the elimination of free rides on fixed route for Open Door clients.”

The agency mailed a summary of the new policy to about 7,000 Open Door customers, who normally pay $3.50 per ride to use special buses equipped for people with disabilities, but have also been able to ride the regular, "fixed-route" buses at no charge.

The agency collected public comment on the plan through an online survey with more than 700 responses and held a public hearing on the proposal at the board meeting.

IndyGo said its surveys showed that passengers supported a new mobile payment app and fare capping for passengers who have accounts on the system. Fares will be capped at $4 per day ($2 half fare) and $15.75 weekly ($7.65 half fare). The current $20 weekly pass and the $60 monthly pass will be eliminated.

“Fare capping, the mobile payment app, and the reloadable TAP (Transit Access Pass) card have all been very well received by the public,” the IndyGo report said, citing the passenger survey. 

As they do in other cities, passengers will be able to use TAP cards for electronic payment to simplify riding the system. They can still pay for a ride at the fare box as well.

The fare change is among upgrades following the 2016 passage of the Marion County Transit Plan, which included a transit tax expected to generate more than $54 million in new funding annually.

“With the implementation of the Marion County Transit Plan, IndyGo is transitioning its bus service to a grid-based network, adding three rapid transit lines, and improving its local routes,” the agency said.

The plan is expected to yield a 70 percent increase in service, though the upgrades have not been without problems.

Construction as part of the first bus rapid transit service, the Red Line, was said to be 114 days behind schedule in February, and IndyGo responded with a $3.5 million plan to accelerate construction.

The transit agency is also struggling to find enough drivers for its fleet, which will include electric buses on the Red Line and other bus rapid transit routes.

Some who appeared for a public meeting on the Red Line in Broad Ripple were skeptical about IndyGo’s plan, including predictions for economic development along the Red Line.

Though 70 percent of Broad Ripple voters supported the transit plan in the 2016 vote, Justin Stuehrenberg, IndyGo’s vice president of planning and capital projects, said he could understand why not everyone would be happy.

“You’re never going to win over everyone,” he told Fox 59. “There are tradeoffs, pluses and minuses to this project.”

- By John Strauss, jcs1122@yahoo.com