INDIANAPOLIS, IN (September 15, 2016) – The Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) has reaffirmed its commitment to the progress of this city by joining the widespread movement among employers, civic and neighborhood groups calling for expanded mass transit as one way to improve access to jobs, school, healthcare and other necessities across Indianapolis. Through a unanimous vote at its September quarterly, the GIPC Board of Directors unreservedly joined the Transit Drives Indy movement.
“This issue is so important to everyone who lives, works and does business here that corporate and community leaders have to continue to speak out and make the case for mass transit,” said GIPC Chair and Bose McKinney and Evans managing partner, Jeff Gaither. “GIPC has always been about moving our city forward, making real and meaningful progress, and we strongly believe that mass transit helps companies recruit and retain talent while contributing to a higher quality of life – and lower cost of living – for everyone. We strongly encourage Marion County voters to vote ‘yes’ on the referendum.”
On September 14, representatives of the Indy Chamber and MIBOR presented the Marion County Transit Plan to the GIPC Board of Directors. They conveyed compelling information about the many challenges workers and families who lack reliable transportation face on a daily basis. The board agrees that today’s transit users shouldn’t have to spend hours getting to work, or be limited in local job opportunities, simply because Indianapolis lacks a dedicated stream of funding for its bus network. The residents of Indianapolis should be able to count on reliable transit service. Looking towards the future, improved transit also makes Indy more appealing to new residents, businesses and visitors alike.
GIPC is currently leading two very important initiatives with strong ties to mass transit. Improved mass transit specifically — and multi-modal transportation options generally — is a cornerstone of the Plan 2020 initiative, Indianapolis’ roadmap to becoming a healthier, more inclusive, more resilient and more competitive city. Improved mass transit is also a key component of Project Indy: Mayor Hogsett’s summer youth employment initiative. “Project Indy will give hundreds of local young people job experience, useful skills, and productive alternatives to crime and gangs,” said Mayor Hogsett. Many young people in our community struggle to reach job opportunities due to lack of reliable and affordable transportation.
A world class city, like Indianapolis, requires a mass transit system that has an adequate, dedicated and permanent source of funding. The Marion County Transit Plan is a realistic, affordable blueprint for a modern mass transit system. GIPC strongly encourages all Marion County voters to vote “yes” on the transit referendum, which will appear as the second question on the November 8th general election ballot. Why? Because Marion County should have the ability to have a county economic development income tax to pay for improving mass transit by enhancing the existing network, increasing the frequency of service, extending the hours of operation, and fully implementing three new bus rapid transit lines.
About the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee
Since 1965, the Greater Indianapolis Progress Committee (GIPC) has convened representatives from all sectors of the community to address the most significant issues of concern and areas for opportunity related to the progress of the City of Indianapolis. Driven by business and civic leaders, GIPC represents the bipartisan alliance that is a continuing example of the public-private partnership in Indianapolis.
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