Hamilton County residents were able to learn more about the proposed mass transit system and provide feedback for three Rapid Transit Lines in the Indy Connect plan, including the Green Line which ends in Noblesville, at City Hall on Aug. 7.
Sharon Baker of Fishers said the potential mass transit system would have a direct impact on her daily life.
“I take the express bus in Fishers to downtown to work and want other options in addition to that,” she said. “It’s better than driving but not convenient from where I live.”
Noblesville’s Elizabeth Boase is a real estate investor has some rental properties around Indianapolis. She said a better transportation system would allow renters to have jobs to pay their bills.
“I’ve been keeping track of it for years,” she said. “I’ve been waiting for these legislators to see the light.”
Both ladies have extensive knowledge of mass transit as Boase studied in England and Baker grew up near New York City.
“I used to do homework on the train in London,” Boase said.
“You could get anywhere by bus, train, taxi’s, subway or walking. You have to drive everywhere here,” Baker said. “More people can afford a bus ticket but cannot afford a car.”
When asked what mode of mass transit she preferred, Baker said rail.
“It’s easier to upgrade in the future,” she said.
Noblesville Assistant Planning Director Andy Wert attended the meeting to gauge the public’s opinion and see what interest residents have.
“We’re certainly interested,” he said. “We’re identifying some areas that could be transit oriented. We’re looking at how does this fit into our comprehensive plan.”
One of the potential stops in Noblesville is downtown, which Wert said would not be an option in the city’s eyes.
“The problem with downtown is obviously parking. We already have a parking problem,” he said.
Sean Northup, Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Organization assistant director, said the organization held nine public meetings in March, including one in Fishers, and is hosting an additional nine meetings this month.
“The feedback has been very, very thoughtful… Comments really have guided the decisions we’ve made in a lot of ways,” he said after the Aug. 7 meeting. “People are really interested in the differences between bus rapid transit and light rail. What the costs differences are and the trade-offs.”
For more information, visit www.indyconnect.org.