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Senator Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) has responded to businesses who are pulling support for his bill - which critics say could kill Indianopolis’ Blue Line bus lane
WFYI File PhotoSeveral Irvington businesses who last week spoke in favor of Senate Bill 52 - a bill that opponents say would effectively kill Indianapolis’ proposed Blue Line - have reversed course.
Many businesses raised concerns last week about the Blue Line, Indianapolis’s third bus-rapid transit line. Among concerns was a fear that the proposed construction could hurt traffic to their stores.
The bill - authored by Senator Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) - would ban the use of dedicated lanes for public transportation. IndyGo officials spoke out against the bill saying it would effectively kill the Blue Line and scuttle hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds.
This week several businesses, including Jockamo’s Pizza and Black Sheep Gifts, have reversed their position on the bill saying that they have listened to the “many voices” that believe the Blue Line would be better for the community “as currently imagined.”
In a statement, Jockamo’s Pizza said that while they have reservations about some of the details of the project - quote - “we support a strong public transportation network for our neighborhood.”
In a statement, Senator Aaron Freeman said that he understood the need for businesses to do what is in their best interest but "I stand steadfast in my decision to oppose the implementation and construction of dedicated lanes.”
The bill goes to the full Senate for a vote.
Contact WBAA/WFYI reporter Benjamin Thorp at bthorp@wfyi.org.
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