John Tuohy

john.tuohy@indystar.com

The Red Line would be the first leg of a long-awaited and ambitious plan to bring some type of modern mass transit system to Indianapolis. Here are eight things you need to know:

1. What is the Red Line?

It’s a planned, all-electric bus rapid transit system to run 37 miles from Westfield through Indianapolis to Greenwood. The first phase is 13.6 miles from 66th Street in Broad Ripple to the University of Indianapolis on the Southside. It would cost an estimated $96.3 million.

Construction of the first leg would be paid with a $75 million federal grant and $21.3 million in local matching funds from the Department of Public Works, an IndyGo reserve fund and the Downtown tax increment financing (TIF) district fund. The entire route would rely heavily on federal funds.

Fed budget proposal includes $75M for Red Line rapid transit

2. What does "bus rapid transit" mean?

The buses would be faster and more frequent than standard bus service because they would have dedicated lanes, synchronized traffic crossings and raised platform bus stops to speed up boardings.

3. How often would the buses run?

Every 10 to 15 minutes during the week, and every 20 to 30 minutes during the weekends.

4. Where would the Red Line stop?

Right now 50 stations are planned. Most would be along U.S. 31, College Avenue, Meridian Street, Capitol Avenue, Shelby Streets and Madison Avenue.

5. Are more BRT lines planned?

Yes. The master plan, called Indy Connect, originally called for five lines across the city and into the suburbs at a cost of $1 billion but has been scaled down to four lines at less cost. The other lines are the Purple, from Eagle Creek to Lawrence along 38th Street; the Blue Line, from Indianapolis International Airport to Cumberland; and the Green Line, from Downtown to Noblesville. The Orange Line, along Keystone Avenue from the University of Indianapolis to Carmel, has been set aside.

6. Would I pay more in taxes to fund these buses?

Voters in Marion and five surrounding counties could be asked in voter referendums if they would support a hike in their income taxes.The increase would be 0.25 percent, or 25 cents for $100 income earned, about $10 a month for someone making $39,000 a year.

7. Why are we doing this?

Transportation officials say a comprehensive and efficient mass transit system will cut our reliance on foreign oil, lessen traffic congestion and pollution, help workers get to their jobs and spur commercial and residential development close to the route.

8. Will it cause inconveniences to drivers?

Yes. Construction of the dedicated lanes will mean a loss of parking spaces and prohibition of left turns in some spots. Some residents near the route are concerned drivers will use side streets as alternative routes. They also doubt that the buses will be as heavily used as officials are projecting.