IndyGo granted more than $50 million in federal relief funding

IndyGo will get more than $51 million in federal funding to help with operations post pandemic. 

The money from the American Rescue Plan will support IndyGo’s service, personnel and new sanitation systems. The funding is part of  $2.2 billion awarded to 35 financially strapped agencies across the country.  IndyGo is the only Indiana awardee. 

Some of the funds will be used to prop up driver salaries and cover fuel costs.

IndyGo has received infusions of federal funding over the past two years to help maintain services during the COVID-19 pandemic. The public health crisis resulted in a decline in ridership and revenue.

“These last couple years have been a challenge, to say the least,” IndyGo President and CEO Inez Evans said in a statement. “Together, we have secured the largest competitive federal grant award that IndyGo has ever received for operating assistance, which will help the agency continue to provide essential transportation service to the residents of Indianapolis.”

The agency has also received millions in federal transportation money to help launch Indianapolis’ second bus rapid transit route, the Purple Line.

More money is expected as the system plans to expand its all-electric fleet.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.