CIRTA Increasing Commuter Service

The Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority says job growth is leading it to add two commuter bus routes. The organization says new service in Plainfield and Whitestown will begin later this year.

Plainfield, Ind. — Building on the success of the Plainfield Connector, which started in 2013 and provides more than 1,400 one-way trips a month connecting people to jobs in industrial parks, the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) will launch two new commuter bus services later this year.

The Plainfield North Connector will pick up commuters at the IndyGo Route 8 stop on Bridgeport Road between Washington Street and Perimeter Road and make a loop on the north side of Plainfield. With stops throughout the All Points Midwest industrial park, it will deliver workers to jobs at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Prime Distribution and Ingram.

The Whitestown Connector will pick up commuters at the IndyGo Routes 37 and 86 Crosstown stop at Trader's Point and take them to jobs with such Anson Development employers as Amazon, Express Script, GNC and Weaver Popcorn.

CIRTA plans to launch the routes before the holiday rush, when many of the distribution centers are at their highest employment levels. Both services will be funded through three-year federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality (CMAQ) grants, with local contributions from Plainfield and Whitestown.

“These commuter services are important for people who need jobs and also for employers who need workers,” said Patricia Casta?eda, mobility manager for CIRTA. “Plainfield and Whitestown have been incredible to work with, because they recognize the need and see the local value of these demonstration projects.”

CIRTA now operates a total of five commuter services, all of which connect to existing IndyGo stops and provide connections to employers beyond Marion County. In addition to the commuter services, CIRTA operates express (nonstop) routes between Carmel and downtown Indy and Fishers and downtown Indy. The express routes are funded through local municipalities and a private operator, following the expiration of federal CMAQ grants Dec. 31, 2013.

The commuter services and employers along each route follow.

1. Plainfield Connector – Amazon, Ingram Micro Mobility, DJO, Ryder, Ozburn Hessey Logistics, GENCO, Pep Boys and Foxconn.

2. Plainfield North Connector (new) – Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Prime Distribution and Ingram.

3. Carmel Connector – GEICO, Delta Faucet, Adesa, Meijer, hotels and office parks along Pennsylvania Parkway, Allied Solutions, Seven Corners and CNO.

4. West Carmel Connector –ITT Tech, RCI, FedEx, Target and retail along North Michigan Road.

5. Whitestown Connector (new) – Amazon, Express Script, GNC and Weaver Popcorn.

“We're pleased to help bring this powerful recruiting tool to our employers,” said Rich Carlucci, Plainfield Town Manager. “This connector will form a vital link between the good jobs in this area and the workforce in the areas nearby.”

Whitestown Town Manager Dax Norton said, “Transportation is an important part of economic development. These connectors help us continue to build a strong case for locating businesses on this side of town.”

The cost to ride the commuter buses is $1 and a valid IndyGo pass. Riders who do not have an IndyGo pass pay $3.

Among the organizations that collaborate to make both connectors a reality are the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, the Plainfield Town Council, the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, Duke, Browning Investments, Central Indiana Regional Workforce Board, Hendricks College Network, IndyGo and Commuter Connect.

Source: Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority