A plan to overhaul public transportation in our area.
Transpo is considering a 10-year plan to change bus routes.
There are two parts of the plan, one with no additional resources and the second with a major price tag.
It is that $9.4 million in additional funding that's raising the eyebrows of at least one business leader.
“It’s really this question to the area of what type of transit system do we want and what type of transit system do we want to invest in,” said James Turnwald, MACOG Executive Director.
That was the question transportation leaders asked you.
“It's shaped out of all of that public engagement, because, without hearing from folks on what they want, we’re not going to deliver new service that no one wants, right,” said Turnwald.
The first part of the plan can be implemented quickly, as it requires no additional funding.
It includes having one bus that runs from Elkhart to South Bend.
“What would 80% more service from what we had today look like? And where would we put it, what would we do with it?” said Turnwald.
The "dream list" would add bus services on Sundays. And increase the frequency of routes.
“If we had an extra $2.8 million in operating funds, we would be able to run five routes every 15 minutes,” said Turnwald.
The money is what stands out to Jeff Rea, President of the South Bend Regional Chamber.
“If you look at the current budget, this almost doubles what they have going currently,” said Rea.
He says they have not seen a need for increased public transportation from the business community.
“I would guess that less than 3% of workers use it for transportation to and from work so, it’s a pretty small percentage there Would more use it if we had a lot more routes, I don’t know that right now,” said Rea.
The Michiana Area Council of Governments says they do not expect to get that full $9.4 million all at once.
“But we realize that that’s supposed to be a plan over the next 10 years, right and so, if that’s the case, then what can we do tomorrow or over the next year that would start to chip at that list. Or order off that menu,” said Turnwald.
MACOG will vote on the plan next month.
Then it is up to Transpo to decide on the timeline to implement it.
Any additional funding will need to be approved through City officials.