City buses to continue shuttles to Indianapolis speedway - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Indianapolis - The city's bus system has received a federal waiver and will continue its park-and-ride service to two races at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for at least one more year.

The Federal Transit Administration in February announced new guidelines on using public transportation agencies to support private events. That prompted IndyGo to drop its shuttles to the Speedway, a service the city bus system had provided for more than 20 years.

"Given the limitations and timing of the new federal regulations, we could not risk jeopardizing our core funding source," IndyGo president Gilbert Holmes said.

But the FTA granted a one-year waiver this week, allowing IndyGo to provide the regular shuttle service to the Indianapolis 500 this month and limited service for NASCAR's Allstate 400 at the Brickyard in July. The waiver will not apply to the inaugural Red Bull MotoGP motorcycle race at the track in September.

"The FTA is allowing us to keep race services going for one more year," Holmes said Thursday. "Now, we are getting ready to once again welcome race fans and serve the thousands of people who depend upon our shuttle services."

The $15 express shuttle service will take passengers to the track from downtown and Indianapolis International Airport.

(Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.)