Starting Jan. 1, IndyGo will increase bus fares. A two-hour transfer ticket will go from $1.75 to $2.75. And starting July 1, prices will increase anywhere from $4-$7 for IndyGo Access, a reservation-based service for people with disabilities to share rides.
As taking the bus gets more expensive, health care costs and grocery prices are rising, too. So, here are options to make all sorts of transportation more affordable, including bus fare discounts, carpooling programs and bike repair resources.
Free or discounted bus passes
Here’s how you can get help paying for bus passes from IndyGo and other organizations:
- IndyGo offers half-fares to people who are 65 or older with a Medicare card; people who are 18 or younger with a K-12 student ID; and people with disabilities. To get a half-fare ID card, which costs $2, you can fill out an application in English or Spanish. IndyGo also offers free fares for veterans.
- Artists who live in central Indiana can apply for free 31-day bus passes through the Indy Arts Council. Apply now through Dec. 14.
- Washington Township, on the north side, offers its residents help paying for bus passes.
- Irvington Community Advocacy Network offers a limited number of bus passes for people who live in the 46219 ZIP code and people who are experiencing homelessness. You can call ICAN at ​​317-322-9645.
Shuttles and carpool services
People who are on Medicaid can get free rides to medical appointments. You can learn more through specific Medicaid providers, including CareSource.
Commuters can share gas costs by finding others to carpool with through CIRTA’s Commuter Connect program.
Bikes for kids and free Pacers Bikeshare rides
Marion County residents can bike around downtown on a Pacers Bikeshare bike for free. To get started, you can apply for an IndyRides Free pass online.
Kids can learn how to repair and build bikes at classes from Nine13sports and Freewheelin’ Community Bikes. At the end of the classes, they earn the bike.
The Kids Building Bikes program at Nine13sports is mostly supported by donors, so the organization works with parents on a case-by-case basis to determine how much the class costs. Freewheelin’s class costs $35.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
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