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The Blue Line brings it all together. Once completed, it will extend 24 miles between Cumberland and the Indianapolis International Airport. The Blue Line will run through several neighborhoods, past major employers, cultural institutions, and healthcare and educational facilities with fast, frequent and reliable service.
This interactive map shows 100% design for the Blue Line, showing proposed station locations and lane configurations. To view street descriptions and landmarks in the map below, hover over the “satellite” button and check the “labels” box.
This section is designed to answer any frequently asked questions pertaining to the Blue Line, including those regarding the rationale, intention, design, features or operations.
What is the status of the Blue Line?
IndyGo’s Blue Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project has reached 100% design completion after a thorough planning and design process, as well as careful consideration of community feedback and stakeholder guidance.
IndyGo is making significant investments in the community as part of the project. The Blue Line will serve as a massive infrastructure improvement project, addressing the condition of the roadways, traffic safety, pedestrian facilities, and stormwater drainage.
The final design of the project includes sidewalk construction and improvements, upgraded curb ramps, new crosswalks, as well traffic and pedestrian signals. Planned improvements include:
Why is the original route on West Washington Street between the Airport and Holt Road no longer included in the Blue Line?
The decision to alter the Blue Line’s alignment between the Airport and Holt Road was made with heavy consideration and collaboration with key stakeholders. The high cost of construction in the segment, low existing and projected ridership, design delays and property acquisition challenges on that segment were all factors that led to the decision. The Blue Line will now operate on I-70 between the Airport and Holt Road, then connect back to West Washington Street via Holt Road.
IndyGo is currently exploring options for continued local bus service on Washington Street west of Holt Road. Further information on this topic will be shared when available.
What is the latest timeline?
Construction contractors bid on project – early fall 2024
Construction start – Q1 of 2025
Construction end and Blue Line opening – anticipated 2027/28
What are the latest cost projections?
The current project cost estimate is between $370-390M.
Current funding sources include:
FTA Small Starts Grant: $150M
RAISE Grant: $21.8M (new in 2024)
Community Project Funding: $1M (new in 2024)
DPW Contribution: $16.5M
Citizens Energy Group Contribution: $15M
Additional federal funds: $36M
Local Match: $135M
Why are we building the Blue Line?
The Blue Line will provide access to work, education, health care, restaurants, entertainment, and shopping. It will be a cornerstone of a comprehensive set of transportation options serving Indianapolis and central Indiana and will offer an alternative to using autos for people of all ages. The Blue Line will follow IndyGo’s current Route 8, along Washington Street from Cumberland west to the Airport. With the Blue Line, local route improvements, and the density of the corridor, the Blue Line will extend the rapid-transit benefits to communities and neighborhoods all along its path.
In general, Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems provide many of the benefits of light rail at a fraction of the cost. BRT systems provide increased frequency, reliability, comfort, and convenience relative to local bus services. The permanence of BRT infrastructure supports increased private investment in the corridor, contributing to increased economic opportunity and quality of life.
What makes the selected routes the best option?
The Blue Line will serve one of the most active existing transit corridors on Washington St. The current Route 8 is one of IndyGo’s most heavily traveled routes and is an excellent candidate to be upgraded to BRT.
The current project cost estimate is between $370-390M.
Current funding includes:
FTA Small Starts Grant: $150M
RAISE Grant: $21.8M (new in 2024)
Community Project Funding: $1M (new in 2024)
DPW Contribution: $16.5M
Citizens Energy Group Contribution: $15M
Additional federal funds: $36M
Local Match: $135M
Fares and Fare Collection
The Blue Line will operate under the same fare structure as local IndyGo service. IndyGo is planning a comprehensive fare analysis to examine various alternatives to its current fare structure, independent of the Blue Line project.
Fare Enforcement
The Blue Line will utilize a “proof of payment” system for fare collection, where fares will be paid at ticket-vending machines on the station platform, through a mobile app, or some other form of fare media. To ensure compliance with the fare policy, IndyGo will employ fare-enforcement officers to randomly check passengers for proof of payment.
How will the Blue Line impact local transit services?
The Blue Line is one element of the Marion County Transit Plan; as such, optimal route alignments are being identified. It is likely that local routes that once traversed the same corridor as the Blue Line will now feed into the Blue Line, providing the potential for more frequent service in those areas.
Local routes will remain in service during construction of the Blue Line. During this time, there may be service advisories and/or detours to limit conflict with Blue Line construction and other construction activities occurring along the route. IndyGo will communicate impacts to IndyGo customers, commuters, local businesses, and the general public.
Service Hours, Schedules and Frequency
The Blue Line is planned to be operational from 5 – 1 a.m. on weekdays, 6 – 1 a.m. on Saturdays and 7 a.m. – 10 p.m. on Sundays. Service frequency is planned to be every 15 minutes.
Buses/Bus Specifications
The Blue Line will utilize rapid transit vehicles developed specifically for operation on IndyGo’s BRT lines. The rapid transit vehicles will be 60’ articulated buses with doors opening on either side of the vehicle.
Bicycle Infrastructure
Rapid transit vehicles will provide space for onboard bicycle storage. Bicyclists will board at a designated door nearest the space for bicycle storage, and platform-level boarding will enable bicyclists to conveniently and easily roll their bikes on and off each rapid transit vehicle. There will be no bike rack for bicycle storage on the front of the BRT buses.
More information will be provided as bicycle-storage components are determined.
Dedicated Lanes
To ensure the Blue Line is able to maintain its speed and frequency, now and in the future, Blue Line buses will operate in dedicated lanes along the majority of Washington St. Dedicated lanes improve reliability, which means that the bus arrives at the same time or at predictable intervals, regardless of time of day or day of week. They also greatly reduce impacts caused by congestion or traffic incidents, improve safety for all modes of transportation and allow for a dedicated lane for emergency vehicles to utilize as well.
Business Activity
BRT not only provides a needed alternative to auto use, but also enhances a community and provides an incentive for economic development. Since transit riders require no parking spaces at their destinations, rapid transit can reduce the need for businesses to provide their own parking, which can be very expensive. The permanence of BRT infrastructure supports increased private investment in the corridor, contributing to increased economic opportunity and quality of life.
Environmental
BRT provides positive benefits for the environment. Research shows that commuters can save hours of travel time by shifting to BRT. By proxy, this reduces both the hours they sit in idling vehicles and vehicle-miles traveled. BRT also translates into better local air quality and reduces the likelihood of road fatalities and crashes. (More information is available here.)
By using electric rapid transit vehicles, IndyGo will reduce its consumption of diesel fuel and the emissions that result from diesel vehicles. In addition, zero-emission, fully-electric buses produce little to no noise pollution, allowing the rapid transit vehicles to operate without impacting nearby people or activities. It is anticipated that at least some of the energy required to charge the rapid transit vehicles on a daily basis will be derived from the solar panels atop IndyGo’s facility.
Neighborhoods
Investment and economic impact
The increase in transit capacity can also support an increase in investment and employment within the corridor. The Cleveland HealthLine stimulated $5.5 billion in investment after its opening in 2008. Several studies have found that the implementation of a BRT system leads to an increase in the number of jobs within the transit corridor, as well.
Impact on crime
Increases of transit capacity and frequency, and the introduction of new transit service, has not been found to result in an increase in criminal activity. Further, the introduction of well-lit stations with security cameras and other security systems, can result in a safer pedestrian environment. Some studies have shown a decrease in criminal activity following the introduction of increased transit service. Research is available here and here.
When the BRT system replaces local service on IndyGo’s busiest corridors, current transit riders will benefit from increased convenience, frequency, and reliability. In addition, transferring from local route service to the Blue Line will reduce wait times before boarding and travel times after boarding.
Left Turns and U-Turns with BRT
To maintain on-time transit service, safety for pedestrians and drivers, and traffic flow, many segments of IndyGo’s upcoming Red, Purple, and Blue BRT Lines will operate in exclusive or semi-exclusive center-running lanes. This means that the lanes are only for use by rapid transit vehicles and emergency vehicles, or may only be used by motor vehicle traffic under certain conditions.
When rapid transit vehicles are traveling in Bus Only Lanes, drivers will only be permitted to turn at signalized intersections for their safety. All signalized intersections will include a protected U-Turn phase and construction includes the addition of new signals to improve safety and flow. See video below:
File Archive
Welcome to IndyGo’s curated archive of documents related to the Blue Line project, such as traffic and environmental studies. As the project has evolved over time, so have the documents associated with it. Please note that several documents may have been updated multiple times. Each document should indicate the date of those changes and/or additions and reflect when they became effective.
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Before we get started, we just need a little more information. It will help us get a better understanding of our rider community and the ability to keep serving the great riders of Indianapolis.
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