The Indianapolis MPO is accepting comments on its Public Participation Plan through next Friday, January 15th.  The Public Participation Plan is the document which provides the public participation requirements for the transportation planning process within the Indianapolis Metropolitan Planning Area.  Public comments should be directed to Anna M. Tyszkiewicz (317.327.5487, atyszkie@indy.gov).  We anticipate many MPO activities related to transit in 2010, so this is a good way to offer your first bit of input!

The Indiana High Speed Rail Association is hosting a luncheon on Friday, January 29th at 11:30 AM, at the Gary/Chicago International Airport.  Business and government leaders are invited to hear from Joseph A. Szabo, administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration, about the high-speed rail system proposed for the Midwestern United States and the economic benefits of the system.

Our input is vital to ensure that this continued investment in our transportation network includes comprehensive transit options and infrastructure for pedestrians and bicyclists, in addition to that for motorists.  More than 25 meetings are being held throughout the 8 county area over the next 6 weeks, and we’re hopeful that we can have an ICAT member at each meeting.

The final report of the United We Ride National Dialogue, held last fall, is now available.  More than 3,500 stakeholders from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia participated in the discussion of how to increase access to affordable and reliable transportation services for people with disabilities, older adults, and people with limited incomes.  Get additional info and read the report atwww.uwrdialogue.org.

ADA-Indiana, with generous support from the Indiana Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, is accepting proposals their Community ADA Implementation Grants Program through Monday, March 1st.  Accessible transportation is one of the priority areas.

1/8/10 - We do not anticipate any legislation in this current session of the Indiana General Assembly that will specifically address transit options and/or funding.   Check out the “Take Action” page for more details and to stay up to date as things progress.

6/11/09 - There is still time during this legislative session to have funding for transit included in the budget! Click on “Take Action” to find out how.

2/11/09 - Members of ICAT testified before the House Transportation & Roads Committee on Wednesday in support of HB 1660, which has now passed through committee!

The companion bill the in the IN Senate (SB 479) has not yet been scheduled for a hearing and we understand the chair, Sen. Thomas Wyss (Ft. Wayne), is reluctant to do so.

Please contact Senator Wyss and ask him to provide SB 479 a chance to be heard in the Homeland Security, Transportation and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. He can be reached at s15@in.gov,  (317) 232-9400, or (800) 382-9467.