Miller Trailways has proposed a bus service that would provide service between Muncie and Indianapolis.
The route would run seven days a week from downtown Muncie to downtown Indianapolis and include stops in Anderson and other cities, John Owen, who coordinates intercity operations for Miller Trailways, said.
The company is also considering a stop at Indianapolis International Airport, he said.
The initial plan included one midday trip, but feedback has led the company to consider more than one trip per day.
"You've got a lot of potential business between the two cities," Owen said. "We're evaluating putting morning buses on from Muncie and Indy and also afternoon buses back."
He said the service would be an intercity service and not specifically intended for people commuting to Indianapolis for work, but that the service would "be conducive to use by commuters."
Owen estimated the service between downtown Muncie and downtown Indianapolis would cost under $20 per trip. He said there may be a weekly or monthly fair for commuters.
Owen said the bus would drop riders off at the downtown Greyhound Station in Indianapolis, where they will be "right by Union Station, right by the Circle, right in the heart of downtown. I think people will use that."
Junior pre-business major Hannah Sullivan said she would take the bus, although she thinks it should be less expensive than $20.
Alternatively, junior accounting major Kim Tiesch said she would likely not take the bus, as she relies heavily on her car.
Owen said the route is part of a larger plan to cover Indiana with intercity bus services from border to border.
He said this Muncie to Indianapolis route could be used to make a connection to another Indiana city under those routes or almost anywhere in the country on another bus service or Amtrak.
Miller Trailways presented information about the proposed service to the Anderson-Muncie Commuter Rail Coalition recently. Owen said the service is pending approval of funding by the Indiana Department of Transportation.
The company has submitted a "good, sound proposal to the State of Indiana for the use of those intercity bus dollars," Owen said, adding that he is hopeful the funds will be approved.
Roger Hollands, professor emeritus of political science and member of the coalition, said the coalition was pleased and considered it a good first step for intercity public transportation in Indiana.
Hollands said the service could make people in the area more familiar and more comfortable with public transportation. He also said the service could be used to gauge viability of a commuter rail service.
A determination will be made by the end of July.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
