IndyGo Foundation secures grant for Near Eastside bus stop upgrades

Credit: IndyGo

IndyGo has announced that the IndyGo Foundation has recently received a $500,000 grant from the City of Indianapolis’ Department of Public Works (DPW) Indy Neighborhood Infrastructure Partnership (INIP). The grant aims to facilitate essential infrastructure enhancements for bus stops in the Near Eastside area of Indianapolis.

Combined with additional funding acquired by the foundation, the DPW funds will enable the construction of 51 bus stops within the next year. The overall project, which entails improving a minimum of 76 stops, is currently being designed and is expected to be completed by 2024. These improvements will enhance the safety and compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards of the stops that cater to some of the most vulnerable populations in Indianapolis.

Currently, numerous residents on the Near Eastside encounter difficulties in accessing transportation due to inadequate connectivity infrastructure. The upgrades to the bus stops will involve the addition of pavement connections, boarding areas and kerb ramps that will link the stops to local streets or driveways.

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The selection of stops for improvement has been based on a comprehensive plan by IndyGo for enhancing bus stop accessibility, as well as data indicating significant concentrations of minority populations and households living below the poverty line.

“Bringing bus stops into ADA compliance is an ongoing effort for the IndyGo Foundation and IndyGo,” said IndyGo Foundation Executive Director Emily Meaux. “These improvements will bring life-changing access to public mobility options and create a better quality of life for these vibrant and diverse communities.” 

The INIP initiatives earmarked for 2023 represent a total investment of nearly $4 million in neighbourhoods across Indianapolis, with over $1.8 million stemming from the Indy DPW funds. Since the programme’s establishment in 2018, INIP has granted more than $12 million in matching funds to support over 60 projects throughout Marion County.