Who Rides the Bus: Examining Transit Ridership in Marion County

This research combines information from the recent IndyGo survey with a variety of neighborhood socio-economic factors from the SAVI community information system to better understand how and why certain groups of riders used the service.  The report provides general audiences with an informed geographic approach to transit to see how place plays into the equation.

Some key findings include:

• Half of the riders at this time commute to and from work, especially those with lower income.
• Riders are a cross-section of people from nearly every neighborhood and economic status in Indianapolis. Some people rely on bus service in a life-sustaining way; others are becoming more willing to use it, but it is evident that is a different choice system.
• Riding the bus is to a degree a social justice issue in Indianapolis.
• Use of transit promotes economic mobility and improves educational, housing, and health outcomes.
• Transit promotes social mobility, reducing social isolation by providing a link to shopping and social activities.