Ind.’s CIRTA launches new commuter shuttle
The Plainfield Connector will provide transportation to worksites in industrial parks and the Metropolis mall in Plainfield, Ind. The shuttle is a three-year demonstration project being funded through a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant.
Beginning Oct. 1, Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) will provide transportation to worksites in industrial parks and the Metropolis mall in Plainfield, Ind.
Operating during peak commuting times in the morning and evening on weekdays, the Plainfield Connector will pick up commuters at the IndyGo Route 8 stop, bringing workers to major employers, including Amazon, Brightpoint, DJO, Ryder, and Ozburn Hessey Logistics.
The cost to ride will be $1 and a valid IndyGo pass. Riders who do not have an IndyGo pass will pay $3 in exact change.
The Plainfield Connector builds on the success of the CIRTA’s Indy Express Bus connecting Carmel and Fishers to downtown Indianapolis workplaces. Each week, approximately 600 commuters use that service, which also operates during peak times on weekdays.
Launched in response to requests from Westside employers and social service providers, the Plainfield Connector connects to IndyGo’s Route 8, which travels along West Washington Street to connect the Westside to downtown. Commuters who live on other bus routes can connect to the Route 8 and ride it to the Westside to reach the Plainfield Connector.
“With all of the jobs being added each month in the Plainfield industrial parks, our employers need access to workers who live throughout the Indianapolis metro area,” said Plainfield Town Manager Rich Carlucci. “The Plainfield Connector will not only help workers get to jobs, but it also will make Central Indiana an even more attractive place to locate a company.”
Bingaman said collaboration was integral to bringing the Plainfield Connector into being.
Among the organizations contributing to the effort were the Hendricks County Economic Development Partnership, the Plainfield Town Council, the Plainfield Chamber of Commerce, Central Indiana Regional Workforce Board, Hendricks College Network, IndyGo and Commuter Connect.
The Plainfield Connector is a three-year demonstration project being funded through a Congestion Mitigation Air Quality grant. Its launch follows just a few months after CIRTA started an Indy Express Bus reverse commute that allows workers to travel from downtown Indianapolis to workplaces in Carmel and Fishers. That route is funded by a Job Access Reverse Commute grant.
More Bus
The Hidden Cost of Fuel Data Inaccuracy in Public Transit Fleets
In today's transit environment, accurate fuel and mileage data are critical to reducing costs, minimizing downtime, and improving fleet performance.
Read More →
Virginia's $28.5B Transportation Plan Targets Transit and Rail
Approved by the Commonwealth Transportation Board, the program supports ongoing infrastructure projects while providing new investments in transit, state of good repair and transportation alternatives.
Read More →
Bipartisan BUSES Act Seeks Changes to New York City's Bus Idling Enforcement Program
Backed by motorcoach operators, the legislation seeks to balance emissions goals with passenger safety by allowing limited idling for inspections, accessibility needs and extreme weather conditions.
Read More →
D Line Expansion Fuels Growth Across LA Metro's Rail System
Weekend rail ridership was especially strong, soaring 18% as riders embraced expanded access to jobs, entertainment, dining, and cultural destinations, said the agency. Total system ridership for May, including bus and rail, was 26,966,657.
Read More →
ENC to Deliver Three Clean Diesel Buses to Canada's York Region Transit
Since 2005, City View and ENC have supplied nearly 90 E-Z Rider II buses to YRT.
Read More →
Frontrunner Bus Group Expands with New Massachusetts Headquarters
The significantly larger facility will provide the infrastructure needed to support the company’s growing workforce, advanced technologies, and expanding product line.
Read More →
Joshua Schank on Transportation Innovation, Risk, and the Future of Mobility
In this edition of METROspectives, Joshua Schank discusses lessons from launching LA Metro’s Office of Extraordinary Innovation, the challenges of advancing new mobility technologies, and much more.
Read More →
Reinventing Fleet Maintenance with Real-time Visibility and AI
Transit leaders need to know what needs fixing, where to look, who is responsible, when work is completed, and what it costs without having to chase information across disconnected systems.
Read More →
SamTrans Sets Priorities for Potential Connect Bay Area Revenue
The board-approved framework allocates future funding to maintaining service, rider improvements, equity initiatives, and infrastructure repairs.
Read More →
When Routine Fails: How Public Transit Must Adapt for the World Cup
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will test transit agencies’ ability to manage unpredictable travel patterns, making real-time data and operational flexibility critical to moving millions of visitors efficiently.
Read More →