Published: August 11, 2008 10:22 am      

Locals saving gas by using bus

An often disregarded or unseen consequence of residents seeking alternative modes of transportation is the impact on public systems such as subways and buses.

“A lot of people coming to Goshen from Elkhart are starting to drive to Concord Mall, Meijer’s or just downtown, parking and getting on the bus,” Vivian Schmucker said.

Schmucker, a Goshen resident, has been taking advantage of the Interurban Trolley for the last seven years, 10 to 15 times a week, around 50 times each month.

“I ride it to go grocery shopping, to get to work and to go to Elkhart,” she said. “About 80 percent of my use of it is commuting.”

She has noticed an increased use of the bus recently, noting that early on, only one or two people rode the bus each morning, then four or five. Now she says that number is closer to 13.

“I ride because of the high gas prices,” Brenda Wilks of Goshen said.

Wilks has been riding the bus for 27 years.

Ridership on the Interurban Trolley increased 22 percent between April of 2007 and April of this year, according to Michiana Area Council of Governments Transit Manager Mary Beth McAdams.

MACOG also sends riders occasionally to record anecdotal evidence regarding the number of riders and which stops are most frequently accessed.

South Bend has seen a similar situation, with Transpo bus ridership up 7 percent between May of 2006 and May of 2007.

IndyGo has seen one of the biggest ridership increases in the area, with the Fishers express route increasing from 3,400 in October to 9,400 in April and the Carmel express route increasing from 2,700 to 7,100 in one month.

The LaGrange County Council on Aging Area Transit program officials have increased their fees due to high gas prices and a growing ridership. Tickets initially cost $2 each way for local trips within 10 miles or less and $5 each way for anything farther.

As of July 1, zero to four miles is $2 each way, five to nine miles is $4, 10 to 15 miles is $6 and 16 or more miles is $8.

According to reports from the American Public Transportation Association, public transportation usage is increasing nationwide, with some of the biggest jumps in light rail usage and usage of buses in areas with a population of less than 100,000.

In May of 2008, the association released the results of a survey on the impact of high fuel prices on public transportation showing that in 2004, fuel and power consumed approximately 6.13 percent of agency operating budgets, but by 2008 that number had increased to 10.88 percent.

A recent minor route alteration for the service drew praise from local residents. The bus had previously traveled only one corner of the Eisenhower Drive loop in the industrial park. It now travels the opposite direction on the street, making a complete circuit of the loop and offering four more pickup points.

One group is pushing for a more impressive expansion to the three routes, extending into residential areas in Elkhart, Goshen and Dunlap as well as the Elkhart Industrial Park.

The Transportation Task Group, part of the Immigration Task Force, completed a study and created a proposal they are now discussing with MACOG. The proposal is still in the early stages, and current contact between the groups on the topic has consisted mainly of conversation.

MACOG reports show that between March of 2007 and March of 2008, hours of operation have increased by 25 percent and maintenance expenses have increased by 32 percent, but total expenses have stayed relatively static, only jumping about $2,000.

The Elkhart/Goshen Interurban Trolley route is in service from 5 a.m. to 7:55 p.m. weekdays and 5:30 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. on Saturdays.

The southbound Concord route is in service from 8 a.m. to 6:25 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays, and the northbound route is in service from 9:15 a.m. to 7:40 p.m. on weekdays and Saturdays.

The North Pointe route is in service from 5 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. on weekdays and 6 a.m. to 6:50 p.m. on Saturdays. There is no bus service on Sundays or holidays.