City of Indianapolis and IndyGo Launch Free Bus Fare Program for Veterans

The City of Indianapolis and IndyGo launched a new free bus fare program for veterans. 

The program provides fare-free access to IndyGo’s fixed route service. It is two years in the making, and veteran Jack Finley says he’s been waiting since the first announcement in 2016. He lives in transitional housing and says this pass will provide him new freedoms.

“A cheap movie suddenly isn’t a cheap movie if I have to spend $4 on a bus pass, and then to get groceries and stuff,” Finley says. “It’s hard to overstate the burden it takes off your shoulders to not have to worry about that.”

Gordon Smith of the Indianapolis Veterans Court says transportation has been a major issue for the veteran community. He says the new bus fare program will relieve veteran service providers of financial costs and ease the impediment of transportation for veterans when they have Veteran Affairs appointments.

City-County Councilman Scott Kreider admitted the program “didn’t happen overnight,” but said the two-year long process was well worth it.

After the announcement at the transit center downtown Wednesday, veterans stood in line to sign up for the program. Veterans must submit an application in person. Proof of veteran status and an initial $2 fee are required.