Transit Committee Weighing Options

The Central Indiana Transit Study Committee listened to testimony Thursday on what increasing funding could mean for improving transit options in Marion and surrounding counties.

For almost three hours, members of the General Assembly heard from representatives of the Central Indiana Corporate Partnership, IndyGo, and the Office of Fiscal Management and Analysis on how increasing dedicated revenue could enhance mass transit.

Rep. Ed Delaney (D- Indianapolis) implored the committee to find ways to improve the system because not doing so is costing the city and state opportunities.

"We're a step behind the national discussion," said Delany.  "I'm not asking Indiana to be way ahead of everybody, I'm just asking us to get in the hunt, to get in the game with other jurisdictions."

Sen. Brandt Hershman (R - Buck Creek) says he wants to see a mass transit system, as long as it doesn’t come at the expense of tax payers.

"There is entirely a possibility that a project such as this will not remain an entirely local project, but will instead be asked to rely upon the revenue capabilities of all of the taxpayers of the state of Indiana," he said. "It is our responsibility as a panel and as a body to assure that we can tell our constituents - with a straight face - that we have asked all the tough questions."

The committee will meet again Nov. 21 and needs to have a final proposal by Dec. 15 even if that is not to move forward.

But, Sen. Greg Taylor (D - Indianapolis) thinks no matter what the plan looks like, it’s important to keep momentum on the issue.

"Hopefully this session will come out with a plan that can get out early, that can allow the experts to get out in the community and market what we are doing, and market and allow the politics to take its course," he said.  "And, we don't run into 2015 where everybody is saying 'I'm not doing anything.'"

"Because, if we delay it again, believe you me, nothing will happen in 2015."