Four Reasons Indianapolis Needs Mass Transit

Mass transit in Indianapolis has cleared a number of hurdles in recent weeks and it seems that Hoosiers are finally on the brink of having the option to decide whether to fund an expansion of Indianapolis’ mass-transit system. 

Proponents of mass transit have been trying for year’s to identify a benefit that invigorates the “typical” Hoosier to care about – and now vote – for mass transit. Here are a couple of ideas I have for selling mass transit to the masses. 

Dodge Daily Traffic – Traffic is getting worse everywhere. I-69 is a parking lot twice a day and daily congestion issues on 465 add time and headaches to many commuters. Transit options under the Indy Connect initiative would bypass these issues and likely shorten the commute for people entering the downtown area from the suburbs. 

Instagram and Twitter Your Commute Away - If part of the appeal for expanding mass transit is to attract the young professional, then play up the benefits that come with being a passive passenger. Commuters could connect to their device, read a magazine or prepare for that big meeting while traveling. Throw some free Wi-Fi on that bad boy and get your social media fix to go. 

Develop a George Costanza Wallet – The affable Seinfeld character had a notoriously fat wallet, which is something that mass transit can also bring to Hoosiers. Check out these green-inspired stats, via Metro Transit: 

• Communities with public transportation save $18 billion annually in congestion costs
• Transit options alleviate the dependency on using cars, which the average American spends $6,251 per year on to run and maintain. 
• Every $10 million in capital investment to public transportation yields $30 million in increased business sales.

Create a Sense of Place – The 20-somethings in Indianapolis want to feel connected to their city. In general Indianapolis neighborhoods need more identity. They need features that create a sense of pride and make residents want to invest in its well-being, safety and resources. In other communities (check out Charlotte) mass transit has enabled infrastructure and development that has revitalized depleted parts of town and opened the door for redevelopment. 

Indy needs mass transit to position itself as a world-class city. But more importantly it will benefit Hoosiers and create opportunities that connect people to their communities and establish a sense of pride in where you live and work.