If Not Now, When?

Northwest Indiana is on the verge of losing two of its seven bus services. Hammond Transit has already restricted its service beginning January 1 and intends to discontinue all services by June 30. Northwest Indiana Community Action (NWICA) is ending its demand-response and para-transit services by the end of this month. With just these two systems, an annual ridership of approximately 600,000 will be lost. And, this is just the beginning! By Dennis Rittenmeyer, President, Regional Bus Authority The Lake County Council is being asked to implement a county-wide revenue source usi

‘Preservation’ is First Step of Solving Transit...

‘Preservation’ is First Step of Solving Transit Crisis! Preservation (N): Webster’s Dictionary: 1) to keep safe from injury, harm, or destruction, and 2) to keep alive, intact, or free from decay. By the end of January and over the next six months, the opportunity to preserve some transit operations will be gone. The Northwest Indiana Community Action Demand Response Services will be ending this month and by the end of June, Hammond Transit will no longer exist. I have heard and read many comments such as: “So what who cares,” or “Let them drive,” or “Have their f

Some Facts About the RBA!

There seems to be any number of editorials, web comments, blogs and conversations about the Regional Bus Authority (RBA) that are not entirely accurate as to what was done, directions taken and timelines met. I believe it is appropriate and timely to portray an accurate and concise timeline of events since the beginning of the Regional Transportation Authority and now the RBA. While this timeline shown is not detailed, I assure you it is accurate. There are two items of particular interest. First, grant monies were approved by the Regional Development Authority (RDA) in 2007 to focus on