Indy Go's Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will begin operating on September 1st and will be free for passengers the entire month. The other IndyGo routes will be free from September 1 through the 14th, 2019.

Hours of Red Line operations are from 5 a.m. to 1 a.m., seven days a week throughout the year with a bus arriving at a station every 10 minutes during peak service times Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are from 6 a.m. to 1 a.m. with rides every 15 minutes and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every 15 minutes and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. every 20 minutes.

Each bus station will be equipped with a digital marquee sign that lists real-time bus arrival information. The Red Line will stop at designated stations only. Generally, stops are anywhere from one quarter to one half of a mile apart.

Jennifer Pyrz, with the HNTB construction management team, said, "As construction manager on the project, our team managed the two contractors, overseeing their quality, schedule and budget. We also did construction inspection and supported public outreach activities. As the neighborhood liaison for the project, I had the opportunity to work directly with businesses and residents along the line, helping answer questions and respond to concerns resulting from the construction." Construction is now wrapping up, with all major activities completed by the end of this August. Crews will remain on site into the fall months to complete punch lists items.

According to www.IndyGoRed.com, Red Line buses and stations will be fully accessible and step-free in accordance with the American Disabilities Act. All stations feature a gradual ramp to help riders get up to the 15-inch height of the platform, which is level with the floor height of the bus that pulls directly next to the platform. This allows all riders to board or exit the bus without the need for a ramp or the bus to kneel.

"Seating capacity is for 40 people and standing capacity will be 50. Our fixed-route buses will make transfers to and from Red Line stops. Over the next year, IndyGo is investing in increasing how often and how late the local route buses operate to make it even easier to use the rapid service," said Lauren Day. She is Director of Public Relations for IndyGo.

Segments of bus routes 12, 14, 17, 19, 22, 38 and 39 will overlap the Red Line corridor, whose fare structure is the same as IndyGo service. Their updated fare system, My Key, (www.indygo.net/fares-and-passes), will provide fare payment and collection at ticket vending machines at each station. Later this fall, according to the IndyGo website, riders can also use their mobile app or a reloadable card to pay and board the Red Line. Cash will still be accepted on board for a two-hour Transfer Ticket or Day Pass. To obtain a transit card, a temporary pass can be obtained at Red Line stations. MyKey will be available later this fall. With MyKey, riders have a more convenient way to pay. The new fare system will operate alongside the existing cash fareboxes, which will still be used for cash fare collection and vending of one-day passes. If you qualify for MyKey Reduced Fare Card, visit at the Julia M. Carson Transit Center. Riders can still pay with cash on the bus for a 2-hour transfer ticket or day pass. Single rides will remain the same price $1.75 and a day pass is still $4.

The Red Line will have on-board space for bicycle storage. Bicyclists can board at designated door that is closest to that space. A platform will provide bicyclists the ability to roll their bikes on and off the bus. Bicycle storage will no longer be available on the front of the bus.

Safe practice guidelines are listed in Indy Go's Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Operations manual, Emergency Vehicle Interaction Procedures, which states, "In all situations, IndyGo operators will be instructed to stop and remain in their position until the emergency vehicle has passed. After stopping the bus, operators will be instructed to turn on their four-way flashers to indicate to the emergency vehicle operator that they have seen the emergency vehicle approaching. It is assumed that emergency vehicles will use general traffic lanes when the lanes are clear and will use dedicated bus lanes as needed to bypass any congested general traffic lanes. IndyGo bus operators will be instructed to follow the operation procedures as outlined in this document, but many BRT and emergency vehicle interaction situations will be unique and unpredictable. In these situations, bus operators will need to react appropriately to emergency vehicle maneuvers in order to allow for passage of emergency vehicles, while at all times maintaining a safe environment for IndyGo's passengers.

There are three different stages of Indy Go's Red Line BRT service development. Phase 1 of the Red Line is 13.6 miles from 66th and North College Avenue to Hanna Avenue near the University of Indianapolis. Phase 2 will be 16.5 miles from 66th and North College Avenue to Grand Park in Westfield. Phase 3 will be 7.4 miles from Hanna Avenue to Smith Valley Road in Greenwood. More information is available at: www.indygo.net/red-line.

Breaking news: Check out www.indygo.net/music-in-transit for the latest schedule of live music during the opening week of the Red Line. Local musician will play at various stations along the line, including Chad Mills and Tim Brickley.