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2016 04 29

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Converted from paper version of the Broad Ripple Gazette (v13n09)

Round the Ripple - by Bill Malcolm

posted: Apr. 29, 2016

Car free, care free in the Ripple (Week Three)

It's week three without a car. Here's what it is like:

- Cab a great alternative when on time

Yellow Cab has been great although one trip required three calls and a 90 minute wait to get a cab. Happily I wasn't catching a flight. The other three trips were perfect. Note that the cabs and Uber in Indy are apparently not dispatched. The dispatcher sends out a signal and the driver can choose if they want the fare or not.

- Rent a car instead

I rented a car from Hertz at Penske Honda for 3 days which was also a pleasant experience. I took a cab up to their 96th Street location.

- Take the #17 bus downtown (or the #18)

I've taken IndyGo downtown several times. Even on Sunday, the #17 runs once an hour and during the week you have both the #17 and #18 to go downtown which gives you twice hourly service.

- Uber app won't load

I tried to take Uber but my Apple iPhone kept declining my credit card. You can't take Uber without the smart phone app so I can't use Uber.

- Ride a bike

Mainly I ride my bike which has been fine since the weather has been nice and it doesn't get dark until 830 pm.

- Blue Indy blues?

I haven't tried BlueIndy car yet. It looks complicated but I plan to try it eventually. Media reports the city is no longer subsidizing the service with parking revenues and is looking for another subsidy source. One city councilor says they have taken prime parking spots. I think the jury is out on the shared car city-run service but then I have yet to try it.

- Save without a car

You save money without a car. No trips to Costco. No spontaneous purchases at Target or Kroger unless they fit in your day pack.

So I may stay car-less for a while.

Monon Trail - Safe After Dark?

The Monon Trail is now open 24 hours. I asked Commander Chris Bailey of the IMPD North District if there have been any incidents on the trail at night. He said there had been only one: a robbery at 3:30 a.m. of an individual walking alone on the trail. He said you should take precautions such as not walking alone and be well lit (if on a bike). I refuse to ride the Monon in the dark and take Westfield instead. Yes there are cars but there are also street lights.

Red Line will stay on College despite controversy

The recent opposition to building the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit Line on College Avenue will not change the route. The news came at the BRVA meeting on April 19 when I spoke to Sean Northup of the Metropolitan Planning Organization and Mark Fisher of the Indy Chamber (who is backing the line).

Northrup told me that College Avenue was originally the site of a street car and is designed for transit. He noted that the area in question (54th and College) is very walkable (especially when compared to car-oriented Keystone Avenue which is not).

Fisher said he welcomed the controversy as it showed people are engaged. Phase one of the Red Line will only go to 66th Street (so the debate over moving it over to Westfield further north can come later and will depend on whether Hamilton County votes for the plan and tax as well.)

A Marion County ballot measure increasing the county income tax to fund the line and other transit improvements will come this fall.

Details on the Red Line are available at www.indygo.net/RedLine.

Upcoming in the Ripple

April 29, 2016 - Art Pop Up event (6 p.m. to 10 pm) SE corner BR Ave and College. Featuring local artwork, live music and entertainment. Sponsored by BRVA

May 3, 2016 - Primary election day. Vote (Polls open 6 to 6)

May 7, 2016 - Plant sale at Park Tudor-INPS Native Plant Society

May 7, 2016 - Farmers market opening day at BRHS

May 20, 2016 - BR Art Fair Preview Party

May 20, 2016 - BR Concert Series, 6:30 p.m. BR Park

May 28, 2016 - BR Park Pool opens

August 7, 2016 - Pool closes

Bill Malcolm also writes a travel column in The Midwest Eagle and is a reporter for All Aboard Indiana (as a volunteer for both). He advocates for fair and affordable utility rates for a national association based in Washington, D.C. He welcomes reader feedback and story ideas. Send to Bill@BroadRippleGazette.com

bill@broadripplegazette.com

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