Trains and Bus in Indianapolis (Carmel, Greenwood: insurance, university, upkeep)

[Aymeric]

Hello,
I'd like to know how is the transport system in Indianapolis suburban area and which cities have the best access by train/bus to the city center?
Thanks,
Aymeirc

[rrah]

Trains, as a means of public transportation, doesn't exist in Indianapolis. Google IndyGo for route information on buses that operate in the city.

This link shows the few suburban-city connections. Not much.....

http://www.cirta.us/pages/bus/

[ischyros]

IndyGo provides bus service in Indianapolis. It does not run into the suburbs. The only service is bus service though a bus-rapid transit route is currently being constructed from the University of Indianapolis on the southside through downtown to Broad Ripple. Eventually this is planned to be extended into Carmel and Westfield to the north and down to Greenwood in the south but that will be a while.

Home - IndyGo

There is a referendum on the ballot this November in Marion County to expand and increase bus service but again, only in Marion County. Not into the suburbs. If you need any kind of transportation in the suburbs, you'll have to call a cab, Uber, Lyft, or an on demand bus. Those are listed here on the CIRTA website. Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority | Door to Door

[cburnscrx]

Indy has one the worst mass transit setups in the US for a major city. There was an article awhile back that ranked Indy last, so it's not just my opinion, though I obviously agree.

[Toxic Toast]

The transit referendum passed, so hopefully better days are ahead for transit in Indy.

[ischyros]

Originally Posted by Toxic Toast

The transit referendum passed, so hopefully better days are ahead for transit in Indy.

All the referendum really did was give the city council the authority to vote on whether to actually go through with raising taxes to address it, unfortunately. And they could go for the full thing or they could cut it down. And I don't know if there is a timeline for when they have to do it, either.

[Toxic Toast]

Originally Posted by ischyros

All the referendum really did was give the city council the authority to vote on whether to actually go through with raising taxes to address it, unfortunately. And they could go for the full thing or they could cut it down. And I don't know if there is a timeline for when they have to do it, either.

What I have heard is that because the vote passed by such a wide margin, they were going to pass the whole tax and try to move quickly. Fingers crossed.

[Humboldt1]

If I can drive quicker and have money why would I ever take a bus or train, which you do not have in Indy?

Buses only make sense for very close distances and for people who are not able to drive.

I take the train (el or metra) when I am downtown Chicago because it is faster than driving.

Would light rail make sense for Indy or is there not enough density?

[msamhunter]

Originally Posted by ischyros

IndyGo provides bus service in Indianapolis. It does not run into the suburbs. The only service is bus service though a bus-rapid transit route is currently being constructed from the University of Indianapolis on the southside through downtown to Broad Ripple. Eventually this is planned to be extended into Carmel and Westfield to the north and down to Greenwood in the south but that will be a while.

Home - IndyGo

There is a referendum on the ballot this November in Marion County to expand and increase bus service but again, only in Marion County. Not into the suburbs. If you need any kind of transportation in the suburbs, you'll have to call a cab, Uber, Lyft, or an on demand bus. Those are listed here on the CIRTA website. Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority | Door to Door

Does indygo no longer meetup with access Johnson county at the target on 135 & Smith valley or at the Kmart at 31 & Smith valley. Assuming they still go to the walmart at county line and greenwood park mall. When I left indygo was just beginning to go out to that industrial park in Plainfield by metropolis. Did they discontinue?

[Dyadic]

Originally Posted by Humboldt1

If I can drive quicker and have money why would I ever take a bus or train, which you do not have in Indy?

Buses only make sense for very close distances and for people who are not able to drive.

I take the train (el or metra) when I am downtown Chicago because it is faster than driving.

Would light rail make sense for Indy or is there not enough density?

Some people don't drive. Some people aren't interested in learning how to drive. There are scores to people who can't afford a vehicle let alone the insurance, gas, maintenance, upkeep and other hidden cost associated with automobile ownership.