Carmel considers public transit options after community survey results

CARMEL, Ind. — The City of Carmel is exploring options for public transportation.

A questionnaire that was sent out to residents of Carmel last year garnered mixed reviews when it came to more public transit routes.

“There definitely were some folks who don’t want to see public transportation in the city, but there were definitely people on the other side who do,” said David Littlejohn, transportation systems administrator for the City.

Around two-thirds of respondents said they are dissatisfied with the options for getting around.

“Transportation to get to employment or social opportunities for people with disabilities is the No. 1 issue that they face,” said Littlejohn.

A more recent survey showed more than 80% of people favored investing in more options.

One Carmel native FOX59/CBS4 spoke with said a bus system similar to what Indianapolis has could be beneficial.

“I do think a bus, especially because there are so many walkable areas,” said Jaehee Kim.

“I think if you can just get from point A to point B and then walk the rest, it would be way more accessible.”

Kim said that growing up around Main Street, she was able to get around, but always had to hitch rides to go elsewhere.

“It definitely felt like if you didn’t have a car, you couldn’t really venture out too far outside of a walkable area,” said Kim.

Now, the City is taking that feedback and coming up with a plan to potentially meet that need.

“Smaller fleet vehicles, maybe that could provide on-demand service for people, either through an app or calling with a phone,” said Littlejohn.

“It’d be kind of a curb-to-curb service, rather than door-to-door.”

Nothing is set in stone, but they have already identified some heavily trafficked areas — like midtown and city center — where small buses could be of use.

“We’re really early in the stages of determining the next steps,” said Littlejohn.

“Obviously, financing is going to be a big issue for that, and we haven’t even started the budgeting process.”

The Mayor of Carmel, Sue Finkam, has indicted that the next step in the City’s push for public transportation is to partner with providers that can make mobility more accessible.