IndyGo's Purple Line Federal Funding Secured

IndyGo Purple Line gets a greenlight as $81 million in federal funding comes through. 

The $162 million Bus Rapid Transit line will be the second for Indianapolis. The grant from the Federal Transit Administration will be used for construction of nearly 10 miles of dedicated bus lanes along 38th Street between Indianapolis and Lawrence.

The BRT routes aim to improve mass transit options along some of the city’s most densely populated, low income areas to create better access to jobs, schools and downtown.  The new Purple Line will share about five miles with the Red Line.

“FTA is proud to join our partners in Indiana to connect these vibrant cities with Bus Rapid Transit,” said FTA Administrator Nuria Fernandez in a written statement. “The Purple Line BRT will get riders where they need to go -- faster, more efficiently, and sustainably.”

Design and planning for the line has been underway for years. The project also includes 18 new stations and the purchase of 15 60-foot electric buses. IndyGo estimates that the project will create approximately 1,850 jobs. Service is scheduled to begin in July 2024.

Contact WFYI city government and policy reporter Jill Sheridan at jsheridan@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @JillASheridan.