IndyGo plans to increase how much bus riders pay for the first time since 2009.
If approved, your full fare would increase from $1.75 to $2.75. And if you use IndyGo’s digital payment system, the daily cap would increase from $4 to $6.
The increase would help IndyGo keep up with the cost to operate buses, which includes paying for everything from the driver to the fuel.
IndyGo leadership introduced the proposed changes at the May 15 board meeting.
The transit corporation’s CEO, Jennifer Pyrz, acknowledged after the board meeting that increasing fares is a difficult conversation to have.
“We’ve just gotten to a point where we can’t continue to invest and operate the great services the community expects unless we have this conversation,” she said.
You can tell the IndyGo board what you think about the proposal during a public hearing at its next meeting in June.
The board intends to vote on the proposal at its August meeting, which would enable any fare increases to start at the beginning of 2026.
What new fares would look like
Here’s the fare breakdown:
Single ride (free transfers within two hours)
💵 Current: $1.75 (85 cents for half fare)
💵 Proposed: $2.75 ($1.35 for half fare)
One-day cap with MyKey
💳 Current: $4 ($2 for half fare)
💳 Proposed: $6 ($3 for half fare)
One-week cap with MyKey
💳 Current: $15.75 ($7.65 for half fare)
💳 Proposed: $24.75 ($12.15 for half fare)
How much you would pay can depend on your method of payment.
If you take the bus to and from work — and maybe throw in a trip to the grocery store or a restaurant — paying cash could run you close to $30 every week with current prices.
If you use IndyGo’s digital fare system, MyKey, there’s a daily and weekly cap for how much you pay. So the same number of trips could end up costing less.
Of course, sometimes riders don’t pay at all — either because they avoid it on purpose or have an issue at the fare box. But IndyGo increased the number of fare inspections and warnings in 2024, according to a board report earlier this year.
As part of the fare increase, the cost would also go up for IndyGo’s Access program, a reservation service for riders with disabilities.
Here’s what that would look like:
If you’re within 3/4 of a mile of a bus route
🎟️ Current: $3.50
🎟️ Proposed: $5.50
Anywhere else in Marion County
🎟️ Current: $7 when scheduled in advance ($10 for same-day service)
🎟️ Proposed: $11 when scheduled in advance ($15 for same-day service)
Give IndyGo your input
In addition to the June board meeting, you will have the opportunity to talk with IndyGo at public meetings throughout Indianapolis. You can also submit a comment online or mail a comment to 1501 W. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN, 46222.
Here’s the meeting schedule:
Virtual option
🗓️ 5:30 p.m. June 3
Registration is required here
Community Alliance of the Far Eastside (CAFE)
🗓️ Noon and 6 p.m. June 5
📍 8902 E. 38th St.
Flanner House
🗓️ 6 p.m. June 10
📍 2424 Dr. MLK Jr. St.
Christamore House
🗓️ 6 p.m. June 12
📍 502 N. Tremont St.
Mary Rigg Neighborhood Center
🗓️ Noon and 6 p.m. June 17
📍 1920 W. Morris St.
IndyGo East Campus (public hearing at board meeting)
🗓️ 4 p.m. June 18
📍 9503 E. 33rd St.
Southeast Community Services
🗓️ Noon and 6 p.m. June 19
📍 901 Shelby St.
John Boner Neighborhood Centers
🗓️ Noon and 6 p.m. June 24
📍 2236 E. 10th St.
Avondale Meadows YMCA
🗓️ Noon and 6 p.m. June 26
📍 3908 Meadows Drive
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Mirror Indy reporter Tyler Fenwick covers housing and labor. Contact him at 317-766-1406 or tyler.fenwick@mirrorindy.org. Follow him on X @ty_fenwick and Bluesky @tyfenwick.bsky.social.
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