The once-endangered Lakeshore South bus route begins again Monday with Gary Public Transit Corp. buses running to Hammond, Highland and Munster.
Service was reduced and nearly eliminated last year because of a lack of funding. The City of Hammond and Lake County Council provided funding to temporarily restore it. Hammond provided $50,000, while Lake County added $150,000, while more sustainable funding is still being sought.
GPTC is offering hourly service from 6:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. on the route which makes stops at Purdue University Northwest, downtown Hammond, and Walmart. It runs in a loop from Sibley in Hammond and Ridge Road in Highland and Munster.
GPTC officials said last year the route had more than 2,000 riders per month.
Earlier this month, the GPTC board of directors approved the addition of two stops on the Broadway Metro Express that runs from Gary to Crown Point.
Beginning Monday, riders on the limited-stop service will be able to request stops at 49th Avenue and Broadway in Gary and at 64th Avenue and Broadway in Merrillville.
Officials said the 49th Avenue stop reflects the opening of the Oak Street Health center.
The Food Bank of Northwest Indiana sought the stop at 64th and Broadway and is assisting in providing signage.
"Reliable transportation is critical for our neighbors struggling to access enough nutritious food, community resources, and other services for their families,” said Stephen Beekman, Food Bank executive director. “Having the Food Bank of Northwest Indiana accessible via the Broadway Metro Express eliminates transportation as a barrier for many of the people we serve, including our own staff and volunteers who rely on public transportation to reach our facility.”
Meanwhile, on June 22 through Labor Day, bus service will resume into Marquette Park.
June 22 also marks the first Broadway Metro Market from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 35th Avenue and Broadway near Indiana University Northwest. In addition to fresh produce from Nature’s Helper and Catholic Charities, Ivy Tech’s Culinary Arts Department will provide cooking demonstrations.
Other Broadway Metro Markets are slated for July 14 at Stewart House Urban Farm and Gardens near 15th and Broadway; July 21 at FAITH Farms at 656 Carolina St.; July 28 at 35th and Broadway; Aug. 17 at the Metro Center, 100 W. 4th Ave.; Aug. 18 at 35th and Broadway and Aug. 25 at Stewart House.