Officials Announce Microtransit Partnership on Far Eastside

INDIANAPOLIS – Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett and City-County Councillor La Keisha Jackson joined officials from IndyGo and the United Way of Central Indiana (UWCI) to announce “Driven 2 Success,” a major new initiative targeting the transportation needs of residents on Indy’s Far Eastside. Pathway Resource Center is spearheading the initiative in collaboration with IndyGo, with significant grant support from UWCI’s Social Innovation Fund.

Under the project plan, Far Eastside residents will be able to schedule on-demand round trips for $2 to access job training, supportive services, childcare, health and food access, substance abuse treatment and counseling, behavioral health services and employment. IndyGo is providing compact buses that will be driven by fully trained operators. UWCI’s Social Innovation Fund grant dollars will be used to underwrite rider fares. Trips will generally be limited to a 5-mile radius from Pathway Resource Center’s location at 10119 John Marshall Dr.

“Opportunity — for health, housing, employment, you name it — isn’t a true opportunity if you can’t get to it,” said Councillor Jackson, who also directs Pathway. “For so many people in this community, lack of reliable transportation has meant lack of access to opportunities to build a better life. We’re stepping into that gap.”

Inez Evans, IndyGo president and CEO, agrees. “IndyGo recognizes the tremendous importance of filling in the gaps in transportation providing more options for the city’s most vulnerable population,” she said. “We’re excited to partner with Pathway Resource Center, the United Way of Central Indiana and Councillor Jackson to launch Driven 2 Success. We know this service will reduce barriers to mobility, connect users to existing transit services and build a bridge to work, medical appointments, school, training and grocery shopping for residents living on the city’s Far Eastside.”

Although IndyGo’s Purple Line, which had its groundbreaking just last week, is expected to eventually help address the transportation needs for eastside residents, officials know help is needed now. “For just $2, Far Eastside residents will now have the option to book a personalized, on-demand ride to any essential destination; including trips for food, healthcare, education or employment,” said Mayor Hogsett. “Driven 2 Success will help meet gaps in current transit coverage, while keeping costs and empty seats to a minimum.”

For its part, UWCI is happy to support the kind of innovative collaboration Pathway and IndyGo have built. “United Way of Central Indiana is thrilled to have the opportunity to invest in access to transportation for a very important part of our community,” said Jonathan Jones, United Way’s senior director of social innovation. “A major goal of the Social Innovation Fund is to invest in our neighbors by ensuring access to all they need to thrive now and in the future. This microtransit model will help make that possible.”

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