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Transportation for people working jobs in Indianapolis’s donut counties will be offered for free in the new year.
The workforce shuttle connectors to Plainfield and Whitestown have been providing affordable transportation for people for years. Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) Executive Director Jennifer Gebhard said the rides travel to warehouse job opportunities.
“Now individuals in the community in Marion County specifically have access to higher-paying jobs that they didn't have before in those suburban communities,” Gebhard said.
The free program aims to improve ridership and travel time. The shuttle service fills a gap between IndyGo bus stops in Marion County and jobs at e-commerce fulfillment centers.
The Plainfield and Whitestown Economic Improvement Districts voted to try the zero fare option. Gebhard said workforce shuttles were already affordable at $1 dollar a ride, but that adds up for families.
“That might not sound like a lot but when we share that information with some of our riders just recently their eyes lit up you know when we're talking about high inflation costs,” said Gebhard.
CIRTA said they are following a trend as more cities are testing zero fares on their entire transit systems or on specific routes.
The rides will be offered for 2024 in a trial run. The connectors operate six days a week and leave from the Carson Transit Center in downtown Indianapolis.
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