Advocating for public transit is one of Carmel Green Initiative's top priorities.
A wise investment in energy efficient transportation,  mass transit is essential
to securing America's energy future and critical to sustaining a vibrant local
economy in a world of rising energy costs. Indianapolis is the only city its size
without a robust mass transit system. 

Fortunately, there is a plan for central Indiana that includes
increased bus service, bus rapid transit corridors, express bus routes and rail
service. For additional information, visit:

• Indianapolis Chamber - Central Indiana Regional Transit Initiative
• Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority - CIRTA
• Central Indiana Transit Plan - Indy Connect
• Indiana Citizen's Alliance for Transit - ICAT
• Frequently Asked Questions about HB1073

Carmel Green Initiative joined a broad coalition in support of public transit. If
you would like to recieve email updates, please contact Leslie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . 
Scroll down to see how you can help.

2012 Public Mass Transit Bill

During the 2012 Legislative Session, your state representatives had an
opportunity to approve a local funding source, referenda process and governing
structure for a regional transit plan.  Had it been adopted, county officials could
have decided in May  whether to put a referendum on local ballots. There
was hope that some counties could have voted on this issue as early as
November 2012. These hopes were dashed over the right-to-work controversy.

House Ways & Means Chairman Jeff Espich filed HB 1073 which outlined a
proposal to authorize transit funding referenda and offered a beginning for a
referenda to dedicate funding for transit.

HB 1073 reflected many of the objectives and tools of the coalition. It provided
a method for citizens to express their support for transit funding through a
referendum. It included Local Home Rule allowing local government to make
decisions in the best interest of the people it serves. It also included a method to
partially fund mass transit through the flexibility to increase a local option
income tax to become a dedicated funding source.

And it also included controversial right-to-work language.

"Just one day after the future of the bill looked dim, the legislation picked up a key
and perhaps unlikely supporter. Rep. Jerry Torr, R-Carmel, [author of the right-
to-work legislation,] asked to take out language that Democrats see as a poison
pill for workers." Read Indy Star article

The coalition is now focused on 2013. Read letter by Central Indiana Transit
Task Force co-chairs Al Hubbard, E&A Industries; John Neighbours,
Faegre Baker Daniels; Robert Palmer, FedEx; Task Force founding
members Mark Miles, Central Indiana Corporate Partnership; Scott
Miller, Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce; and Steve Sullivan,
Metropolitan Indianapolis Board of Realtors.

Scroll down to see how you can help.

EVENTS & NEWS ARTICLES

Our View: We won't give up quest for mass transit
February 9, 2012
Letter to the Editor, Indy Star, Read article

Transit bill dies in Indiana House committee
January 26, 2012
Chris Sikich, Indy Star, Read article

Transit bill picks up new steam after lawmaker seeks to drop right-to-work language
January 25, 2012
Chris Sikich, Indy Star, Read article

First phase of mass transit work could begin next year
January 17, 2012
Kevin Kane, Current in Carmel  Read more

Carmel Chamber Luncheon
January 13, 2012
Ron Gifford, executive director of the Central Indiana Transit Task Force,
provided an overview of mass transit plans for the region.

Governor Daniels wants to let residents vote on mass transit plan
Posted December 17, 2011
According to the Indy Star, Daniels said he was not weighing in on the merits
of the plan nor the taxes, but said voters should decide this one for themselves.
Read more.

Carmel Mayor endorses plan for Public Transit
Posted December 15, 2011
Mayor Brainard joins Indianpolis Mayor Greg Ballard, Hamilton County
Commissioner Christine Altman and others in support of public transit for
Marion and Hamilton Counties.  Read more

Get on the mass transit bandwagon Read more

Englewood Christian Church Workshop Public Transit
Notes By Jodi Perras, Green Congregations Program Chair
Posted November 21, 2011
Speakers Kim Irwin, Indiana Citizens’ Alliance for Transit and Ehren
Bingaman, Central Indiana Regional Transit Authority provided an

• Jobs – 60% of transit trips in Indiana are work-related
• Saves gas money
• Makes commute time more productive
• Improves air quality
• Reduces risk of accidents
• Promotes improved health outcomes
• Backbone of sustainable communities
• Transportation issues are not Roads vs Transit. We need both, and need funding for both
• IndyGo is not poorly run, and in fact, they do supurbly at 'doing more with less."  IndyGo is severly under-funded.

Indy Chamber hosts mass transit reception for Lawmakers
August 2011
The Chamber wanted to continue the education process on the benefits of
mass transit, and show those interested in transit, elected officials and business
leaders some of the potential machines that would be available with an
improved system.  Read more

1) Vote YES to public transit on Senator Kenley's online survey.

2) Adopt a Resolution Have your organization, business or congregation, adopt a
resolution in support of legislation that would enable referenda addressing local
transit funding. See Sample Resolution

3) Sign the Petition in favor of dedicated funding for transit.

4) This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it - If you wish to receive occasional email updates on this bill,
please contact Leslie at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

5) You may also indicate your preferences on the green policy survey.

6) Raise Your Voice - Contact you legislator to share your thoughts on public
transit. See Bill Status above.

Dist.	Name	Party	E-Mail	State House Phone
29	Kathy Richardson	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9620
32	Eric Turner	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9750
35	Jack Lutz	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9648
38	Heath VanNatter	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9647
39	Jerry Torr	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9677
86	Ed Delaney	D	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9798
87	Cindy Noe	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9678
88	Brian Bosma	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9657

 



Dist.	Name	Party	E-Mail	State House Phone
20	Luke Kenley	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9453
21	James Buck	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9466
29	Mike Delph	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9488
30	Scott Schneider	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9808
31	Jim Merritt	R	This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it	317.232.9533