Super-agency would merge NWI buses and South Shore

BY KEITH BENMAN, Times of Northwest Indiana
kbenman@nwitimes.com

The Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority and South Shore operator Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District are in talks to bring the two under one umbrella agency.

Legislation could be introduced at next year's General Assembly session to form a Regional Transportation Authority overseeing both commuter rail and buses, according to Leigh Morris, chairman of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority.

"If we can organize a seamless system that meets the needs of the entire region rather than just one section, we may have something that's far more appealing than any one on its own," Morris said.

Morris said talks concern just Lake and Porter counties for now, but LaPorte and St. Joseph counties could participate in the future.

The idea to join together the rail and bus services has picked up steam since last year's effort to secure $350 million in sales tax funding for the South Shore extension stalled in the Indiana Senate. The RBA also faces opposition in its quest for ongoing funding.

The South Shore extension would need nearly $14 million in annual operating subsidies to keep running, according to NICTD estimates. A regional bus system would need about $10 million in annual subsidies.

Morris outlined progress in the talks between the RBA and NICTD at Thursday's meeting of Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority working groups at the Purdue Technology Center of Northwest Indiana in Merrillville.

The proposed Regional Transportation Authority would be similar in function to the agency of the same name in Illinois, RBA Chairman Dennis Rittenmeyer said. The Illinois agency oversees CTA bus service, PACE bus service and Metra commuter rail.

What funding to seek for the proposed Regional Transportation Authority is still under discussion, Rittenmeyer said.

State legislation enables Lake and Porter counties to authorize a food and beverage tax, but the RDA determines how that money can be spent. A 1 percent food-and-beverage tax could raise up to $7.6 million in Lake County and up to $1.7 million in Porter County.

Lake County also can implement a local option income tax, but county elected officials always have beaten back attempts to do so.

Along with Morris, RDA member Harley Snyder has attended some of the talks between the RBA and NICTD.

"I think one thing we've dealt with in Northwest Indiana for years is these little fiefdoms, but we saw from leaders their willingness to give up control," Snyder said.