INDIANAPOLIS — IndyGo has received a $149.9 million federal grant to construct its Blue Line bus rapid transit project in Indianapolis. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration Small Starts Capital Investment Grant. The funds represents nearly 40% of the Blue Line’s estimated project budget. The remaining costs are covered by a combination of local funding from the transit income tax, as well as DPW, Citizens Energy Group, and city agencies. Other federal funds have been secured from Community Project Funding, and the Rebuilding American Infrastructure and Sustainable Equity grant program.
The Blue Line will run 24 miles and connect the Indianapolis International Airport to the town of Cumberland via downtown Indianapolis along I-70, Holt Road and Washington Street.
The project will feature 60-foot hybrid buses operating 20 hours per weekday from 30 stations, aiming to reduce transit travel times by up to 30%. The Red Line running north and south, and the Purple Line, serving downtown to Lawrence, are already open.
IndyGo reimagined the conventional “bus stop” with specific attention to making the experience convenient for passengers and ensuring fast and frequent operation. The Blue Line’s new rapid transit stations feature:
• New in-median locations.
• Ticket vending machines (cash/credit/debit) that speed the boarding process.
• Digital screens displaying real-time arrival information for the next bus.
• Level station access in accordance with the American Disabilities Act.
• Well-lit boarding areas, security cameras and “blue-light” emergency phones.
• Covered platforms for weather protection
Construction is set to being in the first quarter of 2025, and will be completed in late 2028.
