The Regional Bus Authority (RBA) was founded with a mission to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Indiana by assuring the availability of a customer response regional bus transportation system. To accomplish this mission, the RBA will be accountable for employing strategic planning and sound business practices, recognizing the importance of job access and improved quality of life. ³It is widely recognized that public transportation is a critical component in the vitality of any community.

This is true whether it is surface transportation, rail, and in the case of some coastal communities­even water transportation,² says Dennis Rittenmeyer, president of the RBA.

The RBAıs vision is to be an efficient, effective, and financially viable organization overseeing continuous, high quality bus transportation and multi-modal coordination that delivers value to Northwest Indiana.

Rittenmeyer says, ³We envision a centralized call center that would enable persons to call a single phone number for route information and to reserve a demand response trip. We envision consolidated purchasing of transportation vehicles utilizing the most current technology for the paying of fares and the continual gathering of research necessary to understand ridersı interests and needs. We envision bulk purchasing of environmentally friendly fuel which would both save money and help to reduce pollution and improve our environment. We expect to serve as the sole agency negotiating with the federal government and state government for the very important subsidies that will be necessary to make our system work for the benefit of our residents. And, much like our neighbor to the west, we need a single Œlookı for bus shelters that will both improve the image of our transportation system and perhaps provide the opportunity for new revenue streams.² The values supported by the RBA are to respect the needs of all people, act with integrity and honesty, and are responsive to the communities they serve. Their operating principles are to operate in compliance with the law and adhere to high ethical standards; they are customer driven so customer focus is critical and they will evaluate all decisions for their impact on their customers; they are market focused and they realize that Northwest Indiana has multiple components which define the market environment for transportation services; and they operate as an integrated bus authority.

This integration is critical to the focus of the RBA. ³It is well documented in no less than four studies over the entire last decade, that we have an uncoordinated collection of transit systems that devolved from a robust regional system 40-60 years ago to remnants based on geopolitical and funding boundaries. While these remaining services were saved with the best of intentions, they are, from a regional perspective, ineffective, inefficient and do not serve todayıs travel markets. The RBAıs plan is to consolidate these services into a single system providing better service with easier access for riders and more direct routing to destinations. The plan is simple and cost effective and will enable more of our citizens to use public transportation,² says Rittenmeyer.

But the next few months will be essential for the RBA, and Tim Brown, executive director of the RBA, says many residents in the region will feel the impact unless progress is made. Brown says, ³ The first casualty is the Northwest Indiana Community Action Corporation TransAction program, a Demand Response Service, which ended public service on Janauary 30. Two hundred people a day used the service, most of whom were either senior citizens or persons with disabilities. On Janaury 1, the City of Hammond discontinued Saturday service on Hammond Transit and the City intends to discontinue all Hammond Transit service on June 30. Hammond Transit buses provided over 1100 rides each day last year.. I have heard and read many comments such as Œso what who cares,ı or ŒLet them drive,ı or ŒHave their families help,ı or ŒPay a taxi,ı etc., etc., etc. I believe that before anyone can say anything they should attempt to travel using public transit. Why, because if they did, it would change their opinions, or at least give them an appreciation of the challenge. I was taught that you cannot complain unless you have a better solution for change. The Regional Bus Authority has solutions for change.

Change that preserves and enhances bus operations throughout Lake and Porter Counties.

Transit demand estimates and stakeholder input overwhelmingly indicate that major improvements in bus transit service are needed. Unmet needs for transit service exist, and are not confined to the urban north. Northwest Indiana needs to provide an additional 2.3 million trips annually to serve unmet demand. South Lake and Porter Counties require five times the current number of trips and North Lake County requires a doubling of service.

Perceptions that simple consolidation of existing services will provide efficiencies to fund expanded service are not confirmed by the facts. One size does not fit all. Opportunities for services are recommended based on each communityıs requirements. Differences in urban and non-urban transit patterns call for different transit solutions. Transit connections are needed for intra-county travel and for between-county connectivity. And quality of life realities are inherent in improved social equity issues, mobility requirements for seniors, youth, transit dependent and potential choice users.

The RBA is currently seeking funding sources to implement a unified bus service. This will be a combination of local, state and federal sources. The most important is the local because state and federal grants require local commitment to match their grants. The local source should be aligned with the proposed service, that is regional. Rittenmeyer says, ³The Lake County Council is being asked to implement a county-wide revenue source using a proposed 1percent food and beverage tax to generate an estimated $7 million annually. Porter County will be asked for a similar commitment.

Rittenmeyer continues, The Indiana General Assembly enabled Lake and Porter Counties to take this action three years ago. While the revenue must go to the RDA for distribution, the RDA has pledged to use the money to support only public transportation, bus and rail. The problem continues to be getting an agreement on a Œlocalı funding source that will transcend these historic geopolitical boundaries enabling a new and improved bus service to operate more efficiently and effectively. If we fail to implement a revenue plan to support these improved services, our residents and community at large will suffer. If we donıt do it now, our citizens will lose the service they have, and we will lose nearly $5 million in federal and state support.

And, once it is lost, it may never return! So I ask you, if not now, when?²

FOR MORE INFO:

Northwest Indiana Regional Bus Authority 6100 Southport Rd Portage, IN 46368

(219) 762-4767