Rapid Transit Purple Line Takes Shape

For the past 10 months, the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization has been busy studying a future rapid transit line that would run east to west along 38th Street, and include one of IndyGo’s second busiest routes.  

The Purple Line is part of the Central Indiana Transit Plan to improve regional mass transit.  Senior planner, Jennifer Higginbotham says creating these rapid transit routes is a key part of the overall effort.

"The benefits of upgrading a local line to a rapid transit line are that you would have faster service, fewer stops, the stations would be more substantial," says Higginbotham. "Instead of having to use stairs to step up onto a vehicle you would may have a raised platform." 

Other benefits could include real time arrival info, transfers and Wi-Fi at stations. Five rapid transit lines are being designed as part of the first phase of the long-range plan provided by Indy Connect, a collaborative transportation initiative.

The extensive analysis is required if the system wants to benefit from any federal dollars.  Last year, IndyGo received a $2 million TIGER grant for environmental and design work on the 28-mile Red Line that would run from Hamilton County to Greenwood and could feature the nation’s first electric bus rapid transit system.

Legislation passed last year would allow central Indiana counties to vote on referendums that could help fund mass transit.

Higginbotham says mass transit can also help improve community development and quality of life.

"So that you can have these more walkable areas where people don't need to have two cars," says Higginbotham. "Transit and the land use decisions that you would have to create those walkable environments really go hand and hand."

The public comment period ends Sunday.  The plan will be presented to the Indianapolis Regional Transportation Council at a public hearing Feb. 25.