An Indiana Senate committee put the future of IndyGo’s Blue Line in jeopardy by passing an amended version of a bill that the agency says would effectively kill the project.
That’s because Senate Bill 52 — which the Senate Appropriations Committee passed with a 7-5 vote Thursday, Jan. 18 — would prohibit the Blue Line from dedicating traffic lanes exclusively for bus use. The prohibition would last until July 2025.
The one-year moratorium coincides with a task force to study Indiana’s road needs and funding, which would be extended into 2025 under a different Senate bill.
The problem with the ban, according to IndyGo, is that federal funding for the project is tied to dedicated bus lanes. IndyGo’s proposal to the Federal Transit Administration specifies there would be 18 miles of dedicated lanes throughout the 24-mile route.
Sen. Aaron Freeman, R-Indianapolis, authored the bill and said it was wrong to assume the legislation would prevent the Blue Line from moving forward.
Freeman, who has long opposed the Blue Line, said IndyGo could simply reapply for funding, though that likely would lead to delays and higher costs. Ballooning costs could impact the largest chunk of federal funding — a $150 million grant that IndyGo expects to finalize later this year.
Freeman has found allies among several business owners in Irvington. Not only have they been voicing their concerns with the media and Freeman, they went to the Statehouse to make their case.
They said taking away traffic lanes, including turn lanes, would make it more challenging to receive deliveries and could create barriers for customers who want to visit their shops.
But IndyGo interim CEO Jennifer Pyrz said dedicated lanes are better than shared lanes because buses wouldn’t have to compete with cars for space on the road.
Freeman’s bill, Pyrz said, would eliminate the Blue Line from the Marion County Transit Plan, which also includes the completed Red Line and Purple Line, which is under construction.
Meanwhile, during almost three hours of testimony, residents complained that the legislation was an attempt to undercut their 2016 vote to bring bus rapid transit to Marion County.
Some also testified about why reliable public transportation is important for people with disabilities and how the Blue Line could help calm traffic on Washington Street, which was once a national highway.
As of now, construction on the Blue Line is scheduled to begin early next year with a target opening in 2027. The route would run from Cumberland to the Indianapolis International Airport.
Freeman authored an amendment to specify the prohibition of dedicated bus lanes wouldn’t apply to the Purple Line.
Both the amendment and bill passed 7-5, with Eric Bassler, R-Washington, joining the committee’s four Democrats in voting no.
The bill is set to move to the full Senate for a vote.
When neighbors don’t see eye to eye
Waiting outside of the committee meeting room on the fourth floor of the Statehouse were Mandy Wright-Jarrett and Laura Lea Sweney.
Wright-Jarrett, who lives in Irvington, was there to oppose the bill.
Sweney, who owns Irvington Wellness Center, was there in support.
Washington Street is already narrow going through Irvington, Sweney said, so she’s worried about how bus-only lanes would impact the area.
Plus, there’s the construction.
“The idea of it going on for 2 1/2 years,” Sweney said, “it’s gonna be hard on everybody.”
Wright-Jarrett works in food access and said she supports the Blue Line because it will increase transportation equity.
Sweney and Wright-Jarrett stood beside each other as they talked about their opposing viewpoints — although they didn’t go to the meeting together.
“But we love each other,” Wright-Jarrett said as they both laughed.
Which makes sense. One of Wright-Jarrett’s first jobs when she moved to the area was working for Sweney at the wellness center.
Correction: This article has been updated to reflect that IndyGo expects the federal grant to be $150 million.
Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers economics. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick.
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