By Wade Coggeshall, Hendricks County Flyer
wade.coggeshall@flyergroup.com
DANVILLE - It's an idea that's made the rounds for some time now. But come 2009, a form of mass transit from Hendricks County to Indianapolis may start.
Hendricks County Council President Larry Hesson, who also serves on the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors, apprised the county commissioners earlier this week of recent discussions between IndyGo and officials in Brownsburg, Avon, and Plainfield.
An express bus line from one point in the county to downtown Indianapolis is being considered. Two such routes are already in operation from Hamilton County. Hesson said another started earlier this year in Johnson County, which was chosen over Hendricks.
"Right now there's nothing definite," Hesson said. "We're just exploring the possibility."
Mike Graham, administrator to the county commissioners who has attended meetings with the towns regarding the express bus, says the first suggested route was Interstate 70 with a pickup point in Plainfield. New discussions between the county, IndyGo, and CERTA have focused on a route being more centrally located, such as U.S. 36 in Avon. Regardless of where a route could end up, there would only be one pickup point.
"The debate about bus service is if you have too many pickup points, it's no longer express service," Graham said.
Funding such a transit system requires a 20 percent local match to the 80 percent federal funding. The three routes in Hamilton and Johnson counties have met their financial needs through the fares they've charged, though Hamilton is raising its cost from $2 one way to $2.50.
"No local government unit has had to reach into its tax dollars to fund the operation," Graham said.
Even if Hendricks County had to, Hesson doesn't think it would be significant.
"I can't imagine if the fares that are charged are not sufficient that very many additional funds would be needed," he said.
Commissioner Eric Wathen said he thinks it's a good idea, but expressed concern that the federal grants could run out in a few years.
"We have this new service that's been started," he said of the scenario. "Do we charge $10 fares one way or have it just go away?"
Hesson acknowledged the possibility, but expressed hope that the Indiana General Assembly would make mass transit in greater Indianapolis a priority. Ditto for the Hendricks County communities that would benefit from an express bus route.
"There does seem to be interest from Plainfield, Brownsburg, and Avon, and other areas of the county," Hesson said. "I hope so because what happens with this bus route will have implications for the future of mass transit here."