MERRILLVILLE -- Bus service got a little traction Friday as members of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority bought into a $6.5 million plan to start regional service.
Members of the Regional Bus Authority made their pitch before an RDA subcommittee. They want $2.9 million next year and another $3.6 million in 2009 to begin operating regional commuter routes and a dispatch center for Lake and Porter counties.
"If we can just get something going, we can demonstrate credibility," Steve Adik, RBA vice president.
Members of the RDA, with a multimillion dollar budget of state and local funds, have been skeptical of the RBA's plan to leave the existing city services in place and concentrate on expanding service. RBA members Harley Snyder and Gus Olympidis quizzed Adik on what it would take to convince Gary, Hammond and East Chicago to give up their services.
Adik said Gary and Hammond have been more open to the idea but it would take millions to run the services and, at the moment, the RBA has no source of local tax money.
"There is a need to work toward that goal over time," Lou Martinez, chairman of the transportation committee, said.
Instead, the $6.5 million package would provide some funds to buy new buses but much of the money would go to run new regional commuter routes and express routes throughout the two county area. They also would create a new dispatch center using the 211 number for social services, said RBA project manager Ken Dallmeyer.
While some equipment would be purchased, most of the expense would be to either operate or contract with an operator, so riders could call for on-demand bus service anywhere in Lake or Porter counties. Riders of the current service also could get updates on route times and delays, he said.
The RDA is expected to vote on the proposal at the June meeting, Martinez said.