IndyGo Buses Could Start Taking Children To School

IndyGo bus service and Indianapolis Public Schools are looking at a partnership.

The IndyGo bus system in Indianapolis could transport Indianapolis Public School students if a $62,000 feasibility study proves the partnership would benefit both parties.

WFYI reports the partnership surfaced in 2008 but didn’t work then:

IndyGo President Mike Terry says under IPS’ new leadership, it’s back on the table.

“Some things have changed since then. Now we have charter schools. We have some of the magnet schools programs. Students aren’t living in their neighborhoods and going to school,” he said. “A lot of transportation issues have changed since even 2008.”

IndyGo President Mike Terry says the partnership helps IPS transport students and better utilizes the bus service.

“What we are talking about is services that we currently have, or the growth of our transit system as we plan, that we continue to support the option for using the public transportation system as ways of people getting around, including students,” said Terry. “Whether it be colleges, universities, or the high schools programs, it’s general mobility.”

WFYI also reports both IPS and IndyGo think the partnership could be successful this time because many IPS students use the buses now:

Some charter and private schools already use IndyGo to transport students, but under federal law, the transit company is not allowed to provide exclusive school bus service.

New IPS Deputy Superintendent of Operations, Scott Martin, worked with a similar transportation partnership at his previous job in Iowa.

He says the system was a success there and thinks it can be even better in Indianapolis.

“Because of the urban setting and many students and families already utilize it and this would just an extension of their daily activities,” he said. “I have a good feeling about it being successful.”‘

The study is expected to last a few months before any final decisions can be made.

Many school districts statewide are struggling to fund transportation. In Tuesday’s election, nine school districts passed referenda, many of them requesting the tax increase to fund bus service.