Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – Indigo Update, June 4, 2026
Municipal Corporations Committee Meeting – Indigo Update, June 4, 2026
The Municipal Corporations Committee met at Indigo headquarters on June 4, 2026, at 4:00 PM to receive updates on transit operations, route changes, safety measures, construction projects, and fare system upgrades. Committee members and Indigo leadership discussed progress on the Marion County Transit Plan, the Julia Carson Transit Center security issues, Blue Line construction, and a new fare collection system.
Discussion Items
- Leadership and Strategic Priorities: CEO Jennifer Pierce introduced Indigo’s leadership team and outlined three strategic priorities: frontline worker safety and well-being, growing ridership, and financial sustainability. She reported that ridership increased every month in 2025 and revenue was up, even after a fare increase.
- Route Changes (June 2026): COO Annette Darrow announced service changes to implement the Marion County Transit Plan. Key changes include retiring Route 4 and extending Route 3 from Stoughton and Arlington to Community Hospital North, increasing frequency on Routes 21 and 5 (which will no longer go downtown but connect to BRT at 22nd Street), and redesignating west-side Route 3 as Route 7. All routes will now have at least one connection to a BRT line.
- Safety and Security at Julia Carson Transit Center: Darrow described measures taken to address overdoses, drug dealing, and loitering: cutting power to outlets, turning off public Wi-Fi (pilot), enforcing trespassing with arrests for repeat offenders, posting clear signage, and implementing a restroom use policy. A Transit Security Officer program (four officers) focuses on fare enforcement and customer service. A social service outreach coordinator works with riders in crisis.
- Council Member Feedback on Transit Center: Councilor Brown expressed concerns that the signage and restricted amenities (e.g., no power outlets) make the space feel unwelcoming to legitimate riders. Councilor Allen asked about feedback; Darrow reported positive responses from staff and customers, with reduced stress and drug activity. Chairman Evans stressed zero tolerance for drug abuse, noting that taxpayers fund services and the state has not adequately addressed mental health/substance issues.
- Local Bus Stop Improvements: Director of Capital Projects Matt Duffy reported that Indigo has 2,300 local bus stops, with 41.8% ADA compliant as of June 2026. Projects are either Indigo-led or partnered with the city (e.g., on West Michigan Street). Duffy highlighted a project on Lafayette Road that added pedestrian crossings and refuge islands.
- Blue Line Construction: Duffy described the Blue Line BRT as the third-largest transportation project in metro Indianapolis, running from the airport to Cumberland with 30 stations. Construction began early 2025, with roadway and station work about 30% complete and the East Side Mobility Hub 14% complete. Utility relocations are 50% done. Service is targeted to start in October 2028. The project is split into three packages: roadway, BRT stations, and a mobility hub (scheduled for early 2027). Duffy noted unforeseen conditions (e.g., old brick pavement) but prices are locked in contracts.
- Blue Line Outreach: Councilor Brown reported a constituent’s daycare had to close due to an unannounced water cutoff related to utility work. Duffy said he would investigate and described ongoing outreach including weekly stakeholder meetings, door-to-door notifications, and a weekly newsletter.
- Fare Enhancement Project: CEO Pierce introduced a transition from the MyKey system to MyKey Plus. Starting July 1, 2026, customers using mobile payments will transition to a new app and card. New fare validators on buses (with back-door validators on BRT) will go live. From July 1 to August 31, both old and new validators will operate. Retail partners (over 100 stores like CVS, Walgreens, Dollar General) will allow customers to reload cards at checkout. Phase 2 in November 2026 will add tap-to-pay (credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, Cash App). Cash remains accepted. Indigo will hold open houses at Julia Carson Transit Center for card swaps.
- Hiring and Workforce: Darrow noted ongoing operator hiring challenges due to competition and non-traditional shift hours. Councilor Gibson asked about second-chance hiring, and Darrow confirmed that Indigo does hire individuals with criminal backgrounds.
- Ridership Studies: Councilor Allen asked about the frequency of comprehensive operational analyses. Darrow said Indigo conducts a deep dive every five years, though an extra analysis was done after COVID due to service changes.
Key Outcomes
- No formal votes were taken; the committee received informational presentations.
- Indigo will proceed with June route changes. The Blue Line construction continues with a target of October 2028 for service launch; the East Side Mobility Hub is expected in early 2027.
- The fare transition to MyKey Plus will begin July 1, 2026, with full implementation including tap-to-pay by November 2026.
- Safety measures at the Julia Carson Transit Center (no outlet power, no public Wi-Fi, enhanced trespass enforcement) will continue at least through the pilot period with evaluation at month-end.
- Committee members asked for continued attention to pedestrian access, rider experience at transit centers, and outreach regarding construction impacts. The next interaction with Indigo will be a budget presentation at a future meeting.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everybody. I'm Chairman Derrick Evans, and we're going to begin tonight's municipal corporations committee. Um, we're gonna begin with introductions from my colleagues, and then do I need to uh in USAF on the in here, we're gonna be interested as well. Introduce yourselves okay, all right. We'll begin with introductions to our left. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chair, Brian, district 25. Good evening, everyone, thank you, Mr. Chair Key Grace, District 9 on the East, not very far from here. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Kristen Jones, District 18. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Good evening, all Dr. Carlos Perkins, District Six, my township. Thank you, Mr. Chair, you do number one, Jesse Brown, District 13. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, District 18. This is my district. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, colleagues. Really excited. Um, first, I want to thank you all for coming. I know there was quite a bit of traffic. It took in an hour and five minutes to get here from the West side. So this is a part of the initiative that the council does in trying to move our committee meetings out into the public. It's getting it out of that city county building, which can be oftentimes difficult for people to get into and find parking. Um, so we're excited to be here at Indigo hosting us this evening. And um, with that said, I will uh open up for our new or for our new our CEO of Indigo, a lot of you in your presentation. Great, good evening, everybody. Thank you for being here, and welcome to Indigo. We are so pleased to host you for your meeting tonight. Um my name is Jennifer Pierce. I'm president and CEO of Indigo. Um, my executive team is here with me tonight. Um, many of them are familiar to you. Bob uh Fry is not here tonight, but the rest of the group is. He's on well-deserved vacation. I'm gonna do a quick introduction, first of the faces that you are familiar with, and then a couple new members. Um, so our chief public affairs officer Carrie Black is here. Our Chief Information Officer Marcus Burnside is behind me. I think you all know Chief Government Affairs Officer Cam Radford and Chief Development Officer for Thomas. And then within the past year, I had the very great pleasure of promoting several internal staff to the leadership team. Uh Annette Darrow took on the role of Chief Operations Officer last fall, so she she may have been involved in some of the budgeting stuff with you at the end of last year, but um she is new to the team in the past year. Um she's been with Indigo for more than 30 years and focusing and working every day to optimize our service.
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