Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority: Difference between revisions
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On February 1, 2010, RBA introduced a new rush hour express bus service between [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]] and downtown Chicago in a manner similar to Valparaiso's [[ChicaGo Dash]]. Known as ''EasyGo Chicago'', it makes two trips from Dyer fire station to the Loop in the mornings and two return trips to Dyer in the evenings. The tickets cost $7.50 each way. So far, the ridership has been modest (an average of 17 riders per day).<ref>http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/article_c6bd5de2-7fed-55d9-83c7-3de1fa8b2513.html</ref> It is funded using RBA funds and a stimulus grant for the first two years. It is unclear how it will be funded once the stimulus funds expire. <ref>[http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_8b354675-43f6-5aaa-a1e2-d612a110301b.html "RBA to launch Lake County express bus to Chicago" by Keith Benman]</ref> |
On February 1, 2010, RBA introduced a new rush hour express bus service between [[Dyer, Indiana|Dyer]] and downtown Chicago in a manner similar to Valparaiso's [[ChicaGo Dash]]. Known as ''EasyGo Chicago'', it makes two trips from Dyer fire station to the Loop in the mornings and two return trips to Dyer in the evenings. The tickets cost $7.50 each way. So far, the ridership has been modest (an average of 17 riders per day).<ref>http://www.nwitimes.com/business/local/article_c6bd5de2-7fed-55d9-83c7-3de1fa8b2513.html</ref> It is funded using RBA funds and a stimulus grant for the first two years. It is unclear how it will be funded once the stimulus funds expire. <ref>[http://nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/article_8b354675-43f6-5aaa-a1e2-d612a110301b.html "RBA to launch Lake County express bus to Chicago" by Keith Benman]</ref> |
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RBA is currently considering taking over [[Gary Public Transportation Corporation|GPTC]] transit system and potentially tweaking the routes to make them more compatible with Hammond Transit System routes it already controls. No deal has been finalized as of July 2010. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 20:19, 29 June 2010
Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority is a regional public transit agency operating in Northwest Indiana's Lake and Porter counties. Established in 2000, it was known as Regional Transportation Authority until 2005.[1] The agency is responsible for improving public transit options in Northwestern Indiana by consolidating and modifying existing services and introducing new ones to fill the gaps. Under the current consolidation plan, RBA will eventually assume responsibility for running all existing bus services in Lake and Porter counties. The details of the plan are still under development as of January 2010.
Services operated by RBA
In 2008, RBA partnered up with Gary Public Transportation Corporation to operate three express inter-city routes - Route 12:Tri City Connection, Route 17: South Broadway Express and Route 20: U.S. 30/Lincoln Highway Circular. RBA increased service frequency from an hour to half an hour. Route 12 connects Gary to Hammond Transit System's Dan Rabin Transit Center, allowing commuters to transfer to HTS and PACE buses. Route 17 connects Gary to Merrillville's Century Mall. Route 20 acts as a feeder service four Route 17, connecting riders to shopping destinations throughout Merrillville.
As of January 2010, RBA assumed responsibility for running Hammond Transit System, which serves the cities of Hammond and Whitting. So far, the system routes, prices and service frequency remains the same. The only visible indicator of the new ownership are the "EasyGo" stickers applied over all "Hammond Transit System" labels on the buses (the bus stop signage still retains the old name). However, RBA intends to revamp and expand the existing routes to increase ridership and serve the region more efficiently. It is also considering adding a new express route that provide a link between downtown Hammond and Porter country government offices.
On February 1, 2010, RBA introduced a new rush hour express bus service between Dyer and downtown Chicago in a manner similar to Valparaiso's ChicaGo Dash. Known as EasyGo Chicago, it makes two trips from Dyer fire station to the Loop in the mornings and two return trips to Dyer in the evenings. The tickets cost $7.50 each way. So far, the ridership has been modest (an average of 17 riders per day).[2] It is funded using RBA funds and a stimulus grant for the first two years. It is unclear how it will be funded once the stimulus funds expire. [3]
RBA is currently considering taking over GPTC transit system and potentially tweaking the routes to make them more compatible with Hammond Transit System routes it already controls. No deal has been finalized as of July 2010.
References
External Links
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