FTA Announces Close to $150 Million in Funding to Support New Bus Rapid Transit Line in Indianapolis

FTA today announced a grant award of $149.9 million to the Indianapolis Public Transportation Corporation (IndyGo) to help fund construction of the Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project in Central Indiana. The 24-mile BRT line will provide fast and frequent public transportation along one of Marion County, Indiana's main east-west travel corridors. The corridor serves over 28 million visitors for conventions, meetings, and events and supports approximately 150,000 jobs. 

The project includes 12 miles of dedicated bus-only lanes in the urban core, helping speed riders on their way. The corridor encompasses some of the region’s largest trip generators, including downtown Indianapolis, the State Capitol, the airport, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The Blue Line will also stop at three high schools and several planned redevelopment areas. 

The project includes 60-foot hybrid buses, helping improve air quality. With more than 45,000 people within walking distance of a station in the corridor, service will operate 20 hours per weekday, with frequent service. 

The federal support for the estimated $396 million project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.