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Committees set to discuss proposed referendum for public transportation

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – The latest meeting on potential changes to public transportation in Marion County takes place Tuesday evening in Perry Township.

Officials plan to hold their latest outreach event on the Marion County Transit Plan Tuesday from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m. at the Perry Township Education Center.

On Monday evening, a city county committee discussed the proposal that would allow a referendum on the November ballot, giving residents the chance to weigh in on whether they’d like to help fund the improved transit system.

The referendum would fund public transportation improvements through an income tax of up to .25 percent, or .25 cents of every $100 dollars of income.

Leaders say this would make major improvements in the bus system, and would help them create three new rapid transit lines throughout the county.

IndyGo has already received a federal grant that will help to build the first phase of the “Red Line,” a rapid transit line they say will eventually run from Westfield to Carmel to downtown Indy to Greenwood.

The first phase for the Red Line will run from Broad Ripple to U-Indy through downtown.

The funding for two other rapid transit lines, the rest of the Red Line, and other improvements to the bus system could come from residents if they pass a referendum.

Supporters say the improvements would allow bus service earlier in the morning and later at night and would allow all routes to operate seven days a week.

The other phases of the Red Line that pass through other counties, they say, would be “dependent on local referenda” as well.

As far as the referendum in Marion County, the Municipal Corporations Committee should discuss the proposal April 13, and the Rules and Public Policy Committee could discuss it and potentially vote on it April 26. That would move the proposal for a referendum to the full city county council.

For the latest information on the Marion County Transit Plan, and the public meetings they’ve planned and have held, click here.