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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowAfter years of attempts, Indianapolis residents were finally allowed to vote to tax themselves to improve public transit. The state law that requires IndyGo to raise private funds is a poison pill promulgated to punish a successful vote. IndyGo’s job, as with every transit agency, is to deliver service, not to be a fundraising agency. It is ludicrous to require the agency to engage a staff to beg for money when a dedicated tax exists. How much staff time and effort and administrative costs will be used to seek private money? While the law stands and IndyGo is obliged to meet it, the law is a bad one. Rescind it and focus on measures to ensure reliable, safe, long-term delivery of transit.
In addition to local income tax, IndyGo receives federal funding allotted by a formula based on population and other factors. All transit agencies receive this. Instead of the vitriol directed at IndyGo, there should be commendation in that Indiana and Indianapolis are receiving a return of funds from federal gas taxes.
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Derek Crider
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IndyGo should go. As I see nearly every indyGo and School bus pass by my home on 86th nearly empty; I’ve called them ghost buses for several years. They seem like a good idea, but they are not. They are a way for our city to use Federal Transportation funds and a make work project for the drivers. Few people use them and they really cost local taxpayers a lot of money. When is this madness going to stop and better ideas given a voice?