The 2020 Census reestablished what the Federal Transit Administration considers an urbanized area, making it so that Rural Transit can't service parts of the county starting in 2024.
(Courtesy: City of Bloomington)
Bloomington Transit wants to establish routes beyond city limits amid upcoming service restrictions on Rural Transit, an agency that serves areas both in and around the city.
The Bloomington Public Transportation Corporation’s board of directors unanimously passed a resolution Tuesday supporting expanding services throughout Monroe County.
It comes at a critical time for local public transit, as starting Jan. 1, 2024, Rural Transit will no longer be allowed to serve certain parts of Monroe County.
That’s because the 2020 Census reestablished what the Federal Transit Administration considers an urbanized area, according to John Connell, general manager for Bloomington Transit.
“What was once a rural area has now become an urban area — and so, Rural Transit will not be able legally to provide urban-to-urban trips,” Connell said. “So, you’re going to have a group of individuals — some of whom are elderly and disabled — transit dependent, and they’re not going to have means to service.”
For example, Rural Transit riders can currently travel from Ellettsville to Bloomington. That won’t be allowed starting next year because both the pick-up and drop-off points are inside an urbanized zone.
A Federal Transit Administration map showing the urbanized area (blue) in Monroe County. (Courtesy of Federal Transit Administration)
Connell said BPTC wants to serve those areas Rural Transit will no longer be able to. It will need authorization from the Bloomington City Council to do so, however.
“The enabling legislation (which) created the Bloomington Public Transit Corporation was an ordinance passed by the city council,” Connell said. “At that time, the ordinance limited the service area to the confines of city limits. So, in order for us to expand, it still would fall back on the legislative body that created the (BPTC), which was the city council.”
Chris Myers, the executive director of Area 10 Agency on Aging — the nonprofit that operates Rural Transit — said the new restriction will affect about 30 trips per day. That’s about the number of trips Bloomington Transit expects to absorb.
Myers said she was originally told the restriction would be rolled out over a matter of years. But in February, the Indiana Department of Transportation told her it would go into effect in 2024.
“It’s going to be initially a shock and kind of a devastating blow for the people who rely on Rural Transit day in and day out,” Myers said.
Rural Transit also serves Lawrence, Owen, and Putnam counties.
The idea for Bloomington Transit routes outside Bloomington is consistent with the corporation’s recently adopted 10-year strategic plan, which calls for expanding service beyond city limits.
Connell said BPTC is also exploring the possibility of rapid transit in a corridor from the city’s far east to far west side. Part of the corridor being studied is currently outside city limits.
By approving this latest resolution, Connell said the corporation is demonstrating its interest in an expanded service area to city council.
“We’d like to have, at a minimum, at least the legal capacity to support the actions we’re taking to explore that potential,.” he said.
Connell said one or more interlocal agreement — or an agreed exchange of services between two government entities — will be necessary to finance the expansion.
“We will not extend service at the expense of city taxpayers,” Connell said. “It’s going to have to be supported by other means.”
