Troubled Gary Public Transportation Corp. lands airport job

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

GARY | The Gary/Chicago International Airport has chosen the city's bus company to provide shuttle service to the South Shore commuter railroad and Chicago when Skybus flights start March 13.

Gary Public Transportation Corp. was one of about half a dozen companies to express interest, but the only one to provide a proposal and bid, according to Airport Director Chris Curry.

"It turned into a great opportunity for two city entities to work together," Curry said.

The airport director said GPTC was questioned about its ability to continue to provide service in light of the fact it is operating under federal sanctions.

GPTC responded that it has now resolved 12 of 15 issues the Federal Transit Administration raised in letters last year when it stripped federal funding from the bus company, Curry said.

That funding has not been restored. GPTC General Manager Daryl Lampkins was not immediately available for comment Tuesday.

GPTC will provide bus or van service for Skybus passengers to the Clark Street South Shore stop for a $1.25 fare Curry said. One-way service to downtown Chicago will be $20 and a round trip, $40.

"We feel providing adequate shuttle service from the airport to Chicago is absolutely critical to the growth of the airport," Curry said.

The airport is not paying the bus company for the service, Curry said. He feels the shuttle routes can be profitable because Skybus is marketing the Gary destination as a gateway to Chicago.

Skybus will be flying in and out of the airport twice daily from Greensboro, N.C.

The airport plans to work closely with South Shore operator Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District on the project, Curry said.

Two years ago, the airport secured $1.7 million in federal funding for improving the Clark Street stop, which is about one mile away from the airport terminal. To spend that money, the airport must match it with $425,000.