The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority wants the Regional Bus Authority to think bigger and better when it comes to revamping the region's bus system.
A meeting Friday between four RDA members and the bus authority drove that message home. And bus authority members were told to come back with specifics like how long bus trips will take and how often buses will run.
"We need to start by designing a robust system that meets the needs of people," said RDA member Gus Olympidis.
In addition, several members urged the RBA to consider adopting a plan that would consolidate all existing bus services in the two counties.
The RBA at its February meeting voted in favor of a regional bus plan that would have it running new routes and those that span several communities. But it would leave city bus systems in the hands of current providers.
That regional bus plan has an estimated annual cost of $10 million. A plan that was rejected, the universal operator plan, would consolidate all bus systems in the region. That plan has an estimated price tag of $14 million.
RBA president Dennis Rittenmeyer reminded RDA members there has been resistance to funding even the lower-priced plan. In addition, the RBA has to fight myths about current bus service such as "the systems are wasteful" and "no one rides them," Rittenmeyer said.
Several RDA members pledged they would lobby the politicians who appointed them for funding if the RBA can demonstrate the concrete benefits of regional bus service.
The RBA has been pushing for passage of a food and beverage tax to fund regional bus service. The Lake County Convention and Visitors Bureau opposes that, saying all tax proceeds from the hospitality industry should go to promote tourism.
Rittenmeyer said the RBA is open to other funding sources, including a local option income tax or sales tax. But study of those options show they would be difficult to implement.
© Copyright 2024, nwitimes.com, Munster, IN