Transit. That’s a done deal after last November’s ballot referendum, right? Not so fast. That was Step 2.
Let’s do a quick refresh, like last season’s House of Cards recap before you begin binge watching this season.
Before nearly 60% of Marion County voters said “Yes” for transit, Step 1 involved local and regional transportation planners working throughout the past decade to plan a transportation network that reaches more people and more jobs, with more frequency. Many users and potential users were engaged, as were national transit experts. The Indiana General Assembly granted permission for the question to be taken to voters. The Indianapolis City County Council granted their permission to take the question to voters.
That takes us back to November when Indy voters agreed to tax themselves to the tune of a quarter of one percent with the promise of a 70% service increase across the county, earlier and longer bus operation hours, and routes that run consistently every day of the week. Also included in this five year Marion County Transit Plan is three high frequency BRT lines – the much discussed Red Line, Purple Line and Blue Line.
If you’ve been playing along, you know there have been many really good questions about how this would affect access – to education, jobs, healthcare – and traffic, parking, business, property values. After all, we’re not a city or state exactly known for taking big risks before really talking it out.
So here we are – the hand has been dealt. Proposal 3 to adopt the Marion County Transit Plan and it’s 0.25% personal income tax funding mechanism was introduced to the City-County Council in January. At full council and committee meetings since, supporters and those who oppose the plan have been given the opportunity to testify. Our elected councillors are listening before they cast their final vote on Monday, February 27. We’re days away from knowing if the Marion County Transit Plan will head toward implementation.
“Our generation’s engagement in the democratic process is critical to shape our local schools, city, state, nation and the global community we are a part of.”
Chances are you’ve been getting your fill of requests to contact your elected representatives to voice your support for or against any number of policies and appointments. Our generation’s engagement in the democratic process is critical to shape our local schools, city, state, nation and the global community we are a part of. This one is no different. My first request is simply that you be informed, and I hope that IndyHub’s work continues to play a role in that. And, I hope you will take that often more difficult step to contact your Councillor and ask them to support transit in Marion County.
Want to see the civic process in action? Attend a Council meeting or opt to stream Channel 16. The conversation and policy shaping may not always be as dramatic as a Netflix’ Original Series, but the impact on your daily life and Indy’s future is pretty great.
The remaining Council hearing dates are:
February 13: Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee hearing (City County Building, Rm 260, 200 W. Washington St. at 5:30 p.m.)
February 21: Rules Committee hearing and vote (New Wineskin Ministries, 4501 38th St. at 5:30 p.m.)
February 27: Full-council meeting – vote on final adoption (City County Building, Public Assembly Room, 200 W. Washington St. at 5:30 p.m.)
