I tried the new route for Route 18-Nora which goes from Broad Ripple to downtown. The route was recently changed from going Washington/Pennsylvania/Meridian to downtown to go via Butler University. I found the side trip to Butler annoying going downtown since it added an extra 15-20 minutes to the trip and no one got on or off at Butler University. Worse, on the way home at rush hour, the bus was a half hour late and so the 40 minute trip took well over an hour.

Since I can drive the trip in 20 minutes (and since I live a half mile from the bus stop at 67th/College which involves a 20 minute walk), a 20 minute drive became a 90 minute ordeal.

On the plus side, waiting for a late bus is more pleasant at the new Transit Center since signs tell you when the bus is actually coming whereas before you had no idea.

IndyGo, in a statement on the new routes for #17 and #18, noted indeed ridership on the revamped Routes 17 and 18 is nothing to write home about: "The route 28 used to travel on Illinois between 49th and 46th. Average daily boarding for this area was about 5 people. The new routing on 18 and 28 is picking up approximately 15 people a day on average combined. We expect to see this number increase after Butler school season starts. Ridership on 17 in the changed area is actually flat."

The #17 now goes downtown almost 3 times an hour. So if you are headed downtown, that's your bus. P.S.: Transit tax vote coming this November.

On August 21, 2016, Ossip Optometry on Broad Ripple Avenue provided free eye exams and eyeglasses to deserving community groups. Employees worked Sunday (complete with music and free lunches) had a day of giving which included a comprehensive eye exam and free eye glasses to community groups including Back on My Feet, The Burmese Center for Education, the Homeless Indiana Program, and a program at Community Hospital. According to Elizabeth Wright of Ossip, employees manned the event. Thanks to Ossip for this great community service.

P.S.: Wright also hinted they may eventually do another creative billboard like the one they had for years.

Lots happening over Holliday Park including-

There's a lot going on at the Indianapolis Museum of Art this Fall including: