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The Purple Line brings it all together. It extends 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.
Utilizing rapid transit vehicles developed specifically for operation on IndyGo’s BRT lines, the Purple Line replaced much of IndyGo’s Route 39 — one of the previous highest ridership routes. In fact, segments of the previous alignments for routes 4, 38 and 39 overlapped to comprise portions of the Purple Line corridor.
The Purple Line shares alignment and stations with the Red Line from the Julia M. Carson Transit Center to 38th Street and Park Avenue. In this segment, shared stations could benefit from 5 – 7-minute service as Purple and Red line buses alternate on this stretch. East of the Park Avenue station, the Purple Line continues on 38th Street to Post Road. It then travels north to Ivy Tech’s Lawrence Campus.
This section provides background information to answer any frequently asked questions pertaining to the Purple Line, including those regarding the rationale, intention, design, features or operations.
Why did we build the Purple Line?
The Purple Line provides access to work, education, health care, restaurants, entertainment and shopping. It is a cornerstone of a comprehensive set of transportation options serving Indianapolis and central Indiana and offers an alternative to using cars for people of all ages.
The Purple Line follows IndyGo’s previous Route 39 — one of the city’s highest ridership routes. Together with the Red Line, local route improvements, and the density of the corridor, the Purple Line is an integral component of this regional rapid transit project.
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.
How much did the construction of the Purple Line cost?
Construction of the Purple Line had an estimated budget of $188 million.
How was the Purple Line’s construction paid for?
IndyGo was awarded $80.975 million for the construction of the Purple Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). The funding came from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Small Starts Capital Investment Grant. The FTA’s Capital Investment Grant contribution represented 50% of the $188 million total cost of the Purple Line project.
The remaining project costs were covered by a combination of local funding from the approved transit income tax, the City of Indianapolis Department of Public Works and other FTA and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) sources.
How were the Purple Line’s operating expenses paid for?
Purple Line operations were funded through IndyGo’s annual operations budget. IndyGo’s operational budget is derived from several sources, including federal formula funds, the Indiana Public Mass Transportation Fund, several sources of local funds, fare revenue, advertising revenue and other earned revenue sources.
Current Ridership
Segments of the previous alignments for routes 4, 38 and 39 overlapped to comprise portions of the Purple Line corridor.
Fare Collection
The Purple Line operates under the same fare structure as local IndyGo service. MyKey, IndyGo’s account-based fare system, provides off-board fare payment and collection at ticket vending machines and validators at each station. Additionally, riders can use their mobile app or reloadable card to pay and board rapid transit.
Fare Enforcement
Like the Red Line, the Purple Line uses a “proof of payment” system for fare collection, where fares are 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’s fare inspectors will randomly check passengers for proof of payment.
How does the Purple Line impact local transit service?
The Purple Line is only one element of the Marion County Transit Plan; as such, optimal route alignments were identified. Local routes that once traversed the same corridor as the Purple Line now feed into the Purple Line, providing the potential for more frequent service in those areas.
Local routes remained in service during construction. There were service advisories and/or detours to limit conflict with Purple Line construction and other construction activities occurring along the route. IndyGo communicated impacts to IndyGo customers, commuters, local businesses, and the public.
Service Hours, Schedule, & Frequency
The Purple Line is operational from 5-1 a.m. on weekdays and was expanded later into the night on weekends, compared to the previous Route 39. The Purple Line will operate 365 days a year.
A Purple Line rapid transit vehicle is projected to arrive at each station every 15-20 minutes during peak service and on an adjusted schedule during non-peak times.
Buses/Bus Specifications
The Purple Line utilizes rapid transit vehicles developed specifically for operation on IndyGo’s BRT lines. The rapid transit vehicles are 60’ articulated buses with doors opening on either side of the vehicle. The rapid transit vehicles are fully electric.
Bicycle Infrastructure
Rapid transit vehicles provide two spaces for onboard bicycle storage. Bicyclists can board at the designated door near the bicycle storage, and platform-level boarding enables bicyclists to easily roll their bikes on and off each rapid transit vehicle. There is no bike rack for bicycle storage on the front of the BRT buses.
Of additional note to bicyclists, the Purple Line includes a multi-use path along the north side of 38th Street between Tacoma Ave and Sheridan Ave.
Dedicated Lanes
To ensure the Purple Line remains able to maintain its speed and frequency, eliminate impacts caused by motorist interaction, and improve safety for all users in all modes of transportation along the corridor, the Purple Line operates in dedicated lanes for 90% of the route. Dedicated lanes are striped and marked “Bus Only,” and in some cases, these lanes may be painted bright red to distinguish them from regular car lanes. Emergency vehicles can also use the dedicated lanes during emergency runs, allowing them to bypass general traffic to reach emergency scenes more quickly.
Electrical Charging Infrastructure
Infrastructure was installed to accommodate electric charging for the battery electric buses at the last station along the Purple Line, the Lawrence Terminus. The wireless charging (similar to wireless charging for smart phones) allows for approximately 10-20 minute charges at the end of the route.
Median and Center Gutter
The Purple Line project contains a unique concrete center gutter that serves as drainage infrastructure along a majority of 38th Street. This center gutter reduced project cost and timeline by avoiding costly utility relocation underneath the north club line along 38th Street. In addition to improving drainage along 38th Street, the center gutter serves as a deterrent to making illegal left-turns and U-turns across the bus lanes. To compensate for reduced direct access to the driveways of residences and businesses, U-turns are permitted at signalized intersections with a protected left turn phased into the traffic signal cycle. To minimize inconvenience and improve safety, traffic signals were added at five locations along 38th Street to permit left turns, U-turns, and pedestrian crossings.
Stations
The inspiration for the Purple Line station was established through a design competition that took place in the summer of 2016 (more info here). After a public vote and a juried review by a panel of local experts and community representatives, Sean Morrissey’s design was selected as the winner. IndyGo’s design consultants worked to adapt Morrisey’s concept into a final functional design for actual construction.
The stations were designed with specific attention to making the Purple Line convenient for passengers and ensuring fast and frequent operation. Lessons learned from the Red Line station design were incorporated into the Purple Line stations, however, the overall look and feel of the stations remain the same.
Canopy Roof. The canopy structure has been inverted from the original design to help control the flow of rainwater and to provide a more comfortable boarding process.
Lighting. Lighting was positioned to provide a well-lit, secure boarding area while minimizing impacts to adjacent properties.
Real Time Arrival Information. Each station was equipped with a digital marquee sign showing real time arrival information for the next rapid transit vehicle.
Security. In addition to being well lit, stations incorporated security cameras and emergency “blue-light” phones for reporting emergencies.
Ticket-Vending Machines. Each station was equipped with ticket-vending machines for passengers to purchase fares prior to boarding the rapid transit vehicle, providing additional convenience, shortening the boarding process, and ensuring consistent operations of the rapid transit vehicle. These machines accommodate cash and credit/debit card transactions.
The Purple Line utilizes a “proof of payment” system for fare collection, where fares are 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’s fare inspectors will randomly check passengers for proof of payment.
Windscreens. The stations include windscreens to protect passengers from inclement weather while waiting for the next bus.
Businesses
The IndyGo team was committed to working with local businesses and property owners to minimize the impact that construction had on businesses.
During construction, the IndyGo team sought to minimize the time that any one place is under construction by completing all construction activities in one location before moving on to other locations. The IndyGo team also worked with neighborhoods and local businesses to ensure adequate signage showed how to access businesses during construction.
Businesses with concerns can always reach out to our team here.
Research suggests that communities with fixed route transit have lower unemployment rates, lower rates of employee turnover, and higher labor force participation. For individual businesses, access to transit promotes a deepening of the labor pool from which they are able to draw qualified employees. For individual businesses, the long-term benefits of proximity to new BRT services has not been widely studied; the number of variables related to those individual businesses, their financial health before the BRT service, and other factors make it difficult to project potential benefits or impacts to any single business.
Environmental
BRT provides positive benefits for the environment. Research shows that commuters can save hours of travel time by shifting to BRT. Reducing 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 reduces its consumption of diesel fuel and the resulting emissions. 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 daily energy required to charge the rapid transit vehicles will be derived from the solar panels atop IndyGo’s facility.
Archaeology Findings
As part of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), IndyGo engaged in site investigations to determine what, if any, historically significant archaeological resources were within the Project area.
After engaging in site investigations, IndyGo’s team found one significant archaeological find—a small station house foundation located at 38th and Arthington Steet. Remnants of a railbed and pieces of stone and concrete bridge that were once railroad tracks were found at this particular location. Learn more about this particular archeological find here.
Neighborhoods
Neighborhood character and context
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.
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
Increasing transit capacity and frequency has not been found to increase 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.
Sidewalks and Connectivity
As part of the Purple Line, infrastructure improvements were made at Eva Talley Park including a 10’-wide asphalt multi-use path through the park (north side of 38th Street from Tacoma Avenue to Sheridan Avenue) and a 31’-long by 6’-wide sidewalk connecting the path to the park’s pavilion. At the request of Indy Parks, the park’s name stone was relocated within park boundaries.
Section 4(f) of the Department of Transportation Act of 1966 provides special protection and requires the opportunity for public input when transportation projects may impact park or recreation resources. FTA made a determination that the Purple Line will have a de minimis impact on the park (impacts to the park are minor in nature).
The proposed site plan for Eva Talley Park may be viewed here.
Parking
The impact on adjacent street parking varied throughout the corridor. During construction, there may have been temporary parking restrictions. IndyGo worked with its construction management team to minimize these restrictions as much as possible.
During Construction. The Purple Line team finalized the overall construction schedule and sequencing plan. As various segments along the corridor were under construction, we worked with our construction management team and contractors to minimize the length of time any single area was under construction. There was a short duration (10-14 days) of full closures, and long duration (100-130 days) directional closures on 38th Street. Additionally, Lane closures affected vehicular traffic throughout the corridor.
Purple Line activities were aligned with other projects to minimize additional impacts on traffic during construction. As detour routes were developed, they were posted online, shared through traditional media, and distributed to community groups throughout the impacted areas.
Traffic Following Construction. Before construction took place, traffic modeling showed that the Purple Line would not result in lower levels of service than what is commonly recognized as an acceptable level (Level of Service D for urban streets). Where traffic already operates below an acceptable level, traffic congestion was not expected to become worse than usual.
Left Turns and U-Turns with BRT. To maintain traffic flow, on-time transit service and pedestrian and driver-safety, many segments of IndyGo’s current Red and Purple lines and upcoming Blue Line will operate in exclusive or semi-exclusive center-running lanes. This means that the lanes are only used by rapid transit vehicles and emergency vehicles.
Non-BRT traffic will only be permitted to turn at signalized intersections for their safety. All signalized intersections will include a protected U-Turn phase and the project includes the new signals to improve safety and flow. See video below:
Transit Riders
Now that the line has launched, BRT riders have improved, more-frequent access to additional jobs, major hospitals, three institutions of higher education, cultural and community assets, and several neighborhoods.
(The following information was posted before Purple Line construction.)
Will the Purple Line impact my property?
Most of the infrastructure being built for the Purple Line will be within the existing Right of Way (ROW). However, the addition of sidewalks and curb ramps where none currently exist along 38th Street require IndyGo to purchase property up to 15 feet off the edge of the road to allow for a new sidewalk or trail and grass buffer. Additionally, some temporary property acquisitions will be required in select locations for proper grading from the new sidewalk to the adjacent property. The property acquisition process has been completed for the Purple Line.
Project plans are available on the interactive map and show areas that have required ROW widening.
Will the Purple Line require the removal of any structures?
No. Most of the land acquisition for the Purple Line will be limited to strips of land adjacent to the street for sidewalks and curb ramps, or for widening an intersection to create turn lanes.
How does the property acquisition process work?
The public input process is designed to review preliminary recommendations with the public and stakeholders and mitigate negative impacts through design changes. By the 60% design milestone, project plans will begin to solidify, and IndyGo will contract with a third party for property acquisition. The process for property acquisition required for transportation projects is strictly governed by federal regulations and state law. Details of the affected property owner’s rights will be included with the acquisition offer.
Property Acquisition Process:
The property owner is notified by mail that the property is being appraised.
The property owner will receive an acquisition offer at the fair market value as determined by the appraisal — and will have 30 days to respond to that offer.
The property owner can accept, reject or negotiate the offer.
If an agreement cannot be met, IndyGo may file a suit to acquire the necessary right of way. This step would trigger eminent domain proceedings that would include an additional appraisal by court-appointed appraisers.
What is eminent domain?
Eminent domain is a process that permits certain public agencies to acquire private property for public use through court proceedings, with payment of fair and just compensation as determined by the court-appointed appraisers.
How does eminent domain work?
Eminent domain proceedings are a last resort action to be exercised if a mutually agreeable fair market value cannot be reached. If IndyGo and the property owner cannot come to an agreement on the value of the property to be acquired, the court will appoint appraisers to re-appraise the acquisition property and prepare a report of their determination of the fair and just compensation due the affected property owner. Both the affected property owner and IndyGo have the right to appeal the court appraisers’ determination.
File Archive
Welcome to IndyGo’s curated archive of documents related to the Purple 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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