By Nick McLain, Mooresville-Decatur Times
nmcclain@md-times.com
With gas prices creeping up to $4 a gallon and "going green" all the rage these days, the case for mass transportation seems to be an easy one.
Nevertheless, Ehren Bingaman, the executive director of the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA), came down to the Mooresville Public Library Monday night to talk about the current state of central Indiana's mass transit system and discuss with the public about future possibilities.
"This is the beginning, the dialogue," Bingaman said to a crowd of almost 20 in attendance.
Jeff Quyle, the Morgan County representative on the CIRTA Board of Directors, introduced Bingaman, who has been on the job for eight months now.
CIRTA was created by state statute in 2004 and serves Marion County and the eight "donut" counties (Hamilton, Hancock, Shelby, Johnson, Hendricks, Boone, Madison and Morgan).
Bingaman laid out the many benefits from a vibrant mass transit system, the most obvious of which concerned a different kind of "green," saved money.
Not only does mass transit help reduce the amount of gas money spent by consumers, it allows for a more productive commute to work, reduces the risk of accidents by decreasing traffic congestion and works as an effective economic development tool.
Bingaman cited the latter when he mentioned a 2007 survey conducted by Inside Indiana Business and Ice Miller of central Indiana business leaders in which they listed mass transit as the second highest concern for them - behind only health care and ahead of the "brain drain" and taxes.
"It will help our region stay competitive," Bingaman said. "Employers look at the mass transit system when they decide to relocate."
To illustrate his point, Bingaman showed some statistics that highlighted Indianapolis' shortcomings in this area.
Indianapolis is the 13th largest city in the United States, and for purposes of comparison, Bingaman used Charlotte (20th largest), Denver (26th) and St. Louis (52nd).
Each of those three cities have fixed guideway transportation systems, while Indianapolis does not. While Charlotte ranks 46th in bus fleet size, St. Louis 52nd and Denver 16th, Indianapolis ranks 99th overall.
A network of various systems
Bingaman, however, was not just advocating light rail or trains, but a network of varying types of mass transit systems.
He mentioned buses, specifically IndyGo, which has recently expanded to offer service in Fishers and Carmel and will offer routes to Greenwood sometime this year.
"We've exceeded all of our ridership projections," Bingaman said. "The demand is there."
He also talked about some less revolutionary but practical options: carpooling, walking and riding bicycles.
"It's about having a network of all these things working together to give people options," Bingaman said.
Although some of those options come with cost, Bingaman also mentioned that expanding the highways comes with its own sizable expense. To add one lane to Interstate 465, Bingaman said, would cost $1 billion.
To improve central Indiana's mass transit system, dedicating funding will be necessary, Bingaman said. In Charlotte, Denver and St. Louis, which all have more advanced mass transit systems than Indianapolis, each has its own dedicated funding.
"It starts with you," Bingaman said. "Start a conversation about improving mass transit; talk to your neighbors, friends and elected officials.
"Please support the idea of dedicating funding in central Indiana."
Those in attendance, by and large, supported the idea.
Amanda Jones, a Mooresville resident and student at IUPUI, commutes to school four days a week and said she's enthusiastically behind any mass transit improvments.
"I have to drive to Indianapolis every day, and I spend lots of money on gas," she said. "I'd much rather spend $16 a week on bus fare (IndyGo buses typically charge $2 for a one-way trip) as opposed to the $40 I spend now.
"I'd love to have a bus come down here. I'm a big supporter."
"I've been waiting on this conversation for 10 years," said Clint Thompson, a mason from Monrovia. "As a taxpayer, this seems like the future. It will open up our independence, help ease the gas crisis and open up job opportunities.
"I'm behind you 100 percent."