FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Abbey Webb, Press Secretary
Abbey.Webb@iga.in.gov
317-234-3560
STATEHOUSE (Jan. 18 , 2024) — A bill authored by State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) designed to put a one year moratorium on the use of dedicated lanes in new mass transit projects passed the Senate Committee on Appropriations today.
The use of designated lanes has been a frequently debated issue as it pertains to the development of the Red, Purple, and Blue Lines in Indianapolis. Dedicated lanes are designed for mass transit use only and restrict the commuting public from using the lane in their passenger cars, which ultimately contributes to traffic congestion.
Senate Bill 52 would restrict the implementation of new dedicated public transit lanes until July 1, 2025 with an exception for Indianapolis' future Purple Line. Freeman said he authored the bill in response to the concerns of Marion County residents and business owners over the proposed Blue Line.
IndyGo’s current plan would reduce lanes available to vehicles by 60% along Washington Street. The Blue line would eliminate one lane of travel each direction and remove the turn lane in the middle of the street and dedicate those three lanes to use by an IndyGo bus only.
"I am all for public transportation if it's done responsibly, and I am all for a bus service, but I am firmly against taking away 60% of lanes of travel from the commuting public," Freeman said. "Creating bus-only dedicated lanes on an already hectic Washington Street – which runs straight through the heart of our city – would increase traffic problems for the vast majority of those who don't ride IndyGo. It would also hurt Washington Street businesses by making it harder for customers to reach them."
Freeman added that IndyGo ridership is nowhere close to what was promised leading up to the referendum in 2016. In 2023, ridership totaled just over two thirds of their pre-pandemic riders, and even with the slump in riders the budget for IndyGo steadily increases.
Further, the anticipated cost of building the Blue Line – even with recent adjustments to reduce spending – has ballooned by 70% since the initial projection. IndyGo now says the project could cost up to $390 million.
"It seems senseless to continue with a plan that keeps rising in costs and that will make things worse for the majority of our residents," Freeman said. "IndyGo should simply abandon the dedicated lane model and proceed with shared lanes, where buses and cars can each use lanes of travel."
To learn more about this proposal, visit iga.in.gov.
-30-
State Sen. Aaron Freeman (R-Indianapolis) represents Senate District 32,
which includes portions of Johnson and Marion counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
