BETTER
TRANSIT
NOW
Coalition for Adequate Transportation
Serving Indiana and its connections.
"WHAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TODAY WILL SEEM INEVITABLE TOMORROW"
History
In 1971, Indianapolis and the greater metropolitan area faced a critical problem and few people recognized it - public transportation. City and county governments had failed to take action to provide transportation options for all citizens. A failing private bus company meant many citizens could be left without any public transportation options. As a result, 22 organizations banned together to address what the government would not - the looming loss of all bus service in the city. They called themselves the Coalition for Adequate Transportation. Their efforts saved bus service by creating what we now know as IndyGo.
TODAY
Almost five decades later, Indianapolis and its surrounding counties face the same issue - public transportation. While progress has been made, city and county governments need to once again do more to support & encourage development of transportation options for all citizens. As a result, we’re relaunching the Coalition for Adequate Transportation dedicated to bringing more and better transportation choices to Indiana communities. When our transportation system works for everyone, we all thrive. We demand Better Transit Now.
Click the button below to view our:
More Transit Options
As our region grows, we need more transportation options, not fewer. For example, a survey of 590 Fishers residents indicated that nearly 70% wanted access to light rail.* The Nickel Plate corridor is an opportunity for increased commuter options in a growing regional pathway. A current trail-only plan unnecessarily holds citizens and employers hostage from more transportation options along the only existing piece of contiguous land that connects multiple communities along 37 miles from Indianapolis to Tipton. What’s happening to this corridor is one of the largest public works projects in recent history, and it’s being decided by a handful of people despite what the community has requested.
*Source: 2013 Fishers Transportation Plan Survey
MULTI-MODAL TRANSPORTATION
We believe that the key to a healthy transportation system within a community is a balanced approach to interconnected multi-modal transportation. The ever-evolving list of multi-modal transportation features that can and should be implemented is below:
Bicycle-Pedestrian
Bike Share
Bus Rapid Transit
Electric & CNG Bus
Electric Auto Share
Rail Trails
Rail-with-Trail
Trails/Greenways/Pathways
Bike/Pedestrian Bridge Accommodations
Amtrak
(Long Distance Rail)
Air Travel/Airport Connections
South Shore
(Commuter Rail)
Light Rail
Transportation Hubs
Canal & River Trails
Excursion/Scenic Rail
Hospital/Health Facility Trails
Trail Towns
Integrated Thoroughfares
(walkability and accessibility)
Vehicle Charging Stations
Library Trails/Walks
National Trail Systems
HOW WE WORK
Advocacy In Action
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We advocate for policies and funding, and provide education that supports more transit, bike, and pedestrian improvements at the state, regional, and local levels. We recognize that transportation is a pathway to opportunity — connecting communities and people to a full and vibrant life.
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To achieve our policy goals, we focus on building coalitions across sectors. We collaborate to leverage our collective power and resources to find solutions within agency policy, through legislative bodies, and at the ballot box.
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We foster relationships with our coalition and communities to reach a shared understanding, develop goals, and identify policies that support equitable transportation options for all. By taking our policy work to the people and connecting them to opportunity, we give transit supporters and riders the tools to advocate for their communities, encourage further policy work, and continue to engage and elevate transportation issues.
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We operate under the premise of Better Transit Now, and this is the name used by our citizens’ action arm.
COALITION MEMBERS
Hoosier Rails to Trails Council
Indiana Trails Community
Save the Nickel Plate, Inc.
Bike Indianapolis
Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation
Ride Illinois!
GET INVOLVED
There are many ways to have a voice in your local transportation choices. Transportation exists to serve the public good but in order to serve you in the best possible way, you need to make your voice heard! We focus on getting the public engaged with their local transportation systems and fight hard to make the changes that you need. Find out how you can support our efforts below.
Take Action
Make your voice heard. Find out about our advocacy work and help impact transportation decisions happening across the state right now. Sign up below.
Send Us Photos
Help us tell Indiana’s transportation story with photos! We can use them in our posts, emails, and storytelling materials. Email photos to photos@bettertransitnow.com.
Follow Our Work and Tell Others
Follow us on Facebook to get the latest transportation news. @BetterTransitNow