13 WTHR - Indianapolis News |IndyGo to start express service to Greenwood

IndyGo to start express service to Greenwood

Kris Kirschner/Eyewitness News

Greenwood - The success of IndyGo's Express commuter service to the north may be headed to the south side.

IndyGo provides rides to and from downtown from Fishers to help ease congestion. More than 26,000 riders have used the service since it started four months ago. Johnson County residents may soon get the same option to park and ride, which is welcome news for some Greenwood residents who already use IndyGo to get to work, as well as for those looking for work.

"I think it'd be wonderful," said IndyGo rider Lorraine Craft. "There are a lot of people that need the bus system."

Rising prices at the pump also make the service an attractive option.

"It's very convenient and would save on gas, insurance, all that. Very nice," said rider Pam Woody.

The express service in Fishers started through a federal grant to help ease congestion and improve air quality. For a $2 one-way fare, passengers park and ride to and from six downtown locations. IndyGo considered routes in Lawrence and Hendricks County before settling on Greenwood, which they picked because of better access. Now, it's up to city officials to come up with twenty percent of the funding.

Greenwood City Council President Ron Deer believes the service will pay for itself.

"We have some predictions of ridership, and it's a possibility that our share could be covered by the ridership payments that people make for the farebox," Deer said.

"We use it every day for transportation," Woody said. "I feel Greenwood needs it. It's growing every day."

IndyGo will hold a public hearing to get input on the new express service at 7 p.m. on March 19 at the Greenwood City Building.

Carmel route starts Monday

In the meantime, a new express route in Carmel has already been approved and will begin on Monday.

The buses will depart from the Meijer store on Carmel Drive near U.S. 31, with the first one leaving at 6:15 a.m.

"This is an opportunity to provide our residents transportation alternatives for commuting to work while reducing the impact on our environment," said Jim Brainard, Mayor for the City of Carmel. "We appreciate the opportunity to partner with IndyGo in the new commuter service."