INDIANAPOLIS — The IndyGo Purple Line officially launched on Sunday.
It all started just before 6 a.m. Sunday morning, with the first Purple Line bus rolling out of IndyGo's headquarters. It now hopes to serve thousands of people in both the near and distant futures.
The $188 million project also includes a 15.2 mile route — a brand-new feature that connects the heart of Indianapolis with the northeast side.
"This is a really big day," said Carrie Black, an IndyGo spokesperson. "People have no idea the work that goes on behind the scenes to make something like this happen. So to be able to see it come to fruition — it's emotional, it really is."
Purple Line falls under what's known as "Rapid Transit," which works to make travel more convenient for riders. However, commuters who do not take the Purple Line will still see some positive changes to the road.
"As part of the project, we’ve put in newly-paved roads — 26 lane miles of newly paved roads, 9 miles of new and replaced sidewalks, new ADA curve ramps," Black said. "Even if you never ride the bus, you are still going to benefit from this project."
The Purple Line operates on a daily basis with buses coming every 15 to 20 minutes. It also requires payment before getting on the bus, either at a pay station or on the MyKey app.
"We are looking forward to lots of people riding and being connected in the very best way to opportunities," Black added. "Whether that is going to work, going to school, going to medical appointments, or going to visit grandma … Use it to get downtown and enjoy all Indianapolis has to offer."