Council Greenlights Funds For Mass Transit Expansion

Image of crowded City-County Council chamber during expanded mass transit funding vote courtesy of Council President Maggie Lewis.

The City-County Council in Indianapolis has approved an income tax increase of up to 0.25 percent to pay for expanded mass transit options in Marion County. In a statement following the 17-8 vote, Mayor Joe Hogsett called the investment "historic."

Plans call for the money to be spent on increasing times and frequencies of routes, as well as adding rapid transit routes and new IndyGo buses. It will also include more night and weekend routes. Officials supporting the plan have said greater availability of public transportation will not only help improve job and mobility access for those in underserved communities, but also act as a way to attract younger talent to the city.

In his statement, Hogsett said "last year, a significant majority of Marion County voters made an important statement about the future of mass transit in Indianapolis and I appreciate the Council’s decision to act according to the will of the people tonight. Once this ordinance is signed, I look forward to ensuring that this historic investment in city infrastructure will be transformative for our future."