Designed specifically to make commuting convenient for passengers — with fast, frequent operation — the Purple Line is poised to provide better access to work, education, healthcare, restaurants, entertainment and shopping. It offers an equitable alternative to driving for people of all ages and serves as a cornerstone of transportation options for Indianapolis and central Indiana.
The Purple Line is the next stage of our BRT system, providing increased frequency, reliability, comfort and convenience at a fraction of the cost of light rail. But unlike far-spaced light rail, the permanence of BRT infrastructure along the corridor supports increased private investment, contributing to increased economic opportunity and quality of life.
This is more than transit. The Purple Line is a massive infrastructure project, with more than half of the budget addressing the condition of the roadway, pedestrian facilities and drainage. The project means critical upgrades to infrastructure in communities that need it most along the east 38th Street and Post Road corridors. It includes new and improved sidewalks, ADA curb ramps, multi-use pathways, storm sewer separation and more.
The Purple Line brings it all together, extending 15.2 miles between Indianapolis and the City of Lawrence. The Purple Line runs through several neighborhoods, past major employers, cultural institutions and healthcare and educational facilities with fast, frequent and reliable service.
Mon – Fri
5 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sat
6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
Sun
7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
The rapid Purple Line will increase convenience, frequency and reliability, while improving travel times and decreasing wait times.
The 60-foot articulated, fully electric Purple Line transit vehicles work seamlessly with rapid transit operation on IndyGo’s BRT lines, with doors opening on either side of the bus and reaching increased ranges with innovative inductive charging.
Instead of bike racks on the front of the bus, Purple Line buses have onboard bicycle storage, meaning those with a bicycle should board at the door nearest the bike storage area. New level boarding platforms allow you to roll your bicycle on and off with ease.
IndyGo reimagined the conventional “bus stop” with specific attention to making the experience convenient for passengers and ensuring fast and frequent operation. The Purple Line’s new rapid transit stations feature:
A Purple Line rapid transit vehicle will arrive at each station every 15-20 minutes during peak service. The Purple Line overlaps the Red Line south of 38th Street to the Transit Center with buses arriving every five minutes at those stops.
Features such as pre-board ticketing get you on the bus quickly, while transit-only lanes and signal priority at busy intersections allow the Purple Line to maintain its speed and frequency when other vehicles are being delayed by congestion or traffic incidents.
Riding the Purple Line is a more efficient, more convenient IndyGo experience — with a rapid transit emphasis on “go.”
Nearly all the neighborhoods along the Purple Line corridor were once served by streetcars and/or the interurban, and the urban form of these neighborhoods were influenced — and often driven by — these transportation modes. The Purple Line replicates this service. Connecting Downtown Indy and Lawrence will help bring the community together and return it to the bustling, thriving days of the past.
Aside from transit travel time and safety improvements, the Purple Line is a massive infrastructure project, with more than half of the budget addressing the condition of the roadway, pedestrian facilities and drainage.
Transit riders start and end every trip as pedestrians. The Purple Line project includes sidewalk construction and improvements, upgraded curb ramps, new crosswalks and new pedestrian signals. There will also be three miles of multi-use path for both pedestrians and bicycle riders along the north side of 38th Street from Tacoma to Sheridan (3.2 miles in length). This will provide a connection to the Fall Creek Greenway and fill a large gap in the bicycle network.
Because the project runs along city streets, Indianapolis also benefits from re-surfacing and storm sewer work that will take place along with other improvements, including:
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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.
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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