Purple Line (IndyGo)

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IndyGo Purple Line
Overview
SystemIndyGo Rapid
OperatorIndianapolis Public Transportation Corporation
VehicleBYD RIDE K11 articulated buses
StatusOperational
Began serviceOctober 13, 2024
Route
Route typeBus rapid transit
LocaleIndianapolis, Indiana, U.S.
StartJulia M. Carson Transit Center in Downtown Indianapolis
Via38th Street
EndFort Harrison Station in Lawrence
Length15.2 miles (24.5 km)
Stations31

The Purple Line is a bus rapid transit line operated by IndyGo in Indianapolis, Indiana, United States. It opened on October 13, 2024, with 31 stations on 15.2 miles (24.5 km) between Downtown Indianapolis and Lawrence. The Purple Line shares stations with the Red Line from the Julia M. Carson Transit Center to 38th Street, north of downtown, and continues east on 38th Street.[1][2][3]

The Indianapolis–Lawrence corridor was one of five bus rapid transit lines proposed by IndyGo in the early 2010s. It was originally envisioned as an entirely east–west crosstown line between Lafayette Square and Lawrence that would replace existing routes 38 and 39.[4] The Federal Transit Administration awarded a $81 million grant for the project in 2021 that would cover approximately half of the $162 million cost for construction and new buses.[5] Construction of the Purple Line began in February 2022.[6] The fleet of articulated battery electric buses for the Purple Line, manufactured by BYD Auto, was unveiled in April 2024.[7]

Since its opening, the Purple Line has had the highest monthly ridership of any IndyGo route, surpassing the Red Line. In March 2025, over 100,000 passengers rode the Purple Line.[8]

Station listing

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There are 31 stations on the Purple Line, of which 13 are shared with the Red Line (Route 90).

Station City Type Opened Notes
Fort Harrison Lawrence Center October 13, 2024 Serves Ivy Tech's Lawrence Campus, Fort Harrison State Park
56th Street Median Serves the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) headquarters
Pendleton Pike
42nd Street
Post/38th Indianapolis
Alsace
Franklin
Richardt
Shadeland
Arlington
Layman
Emerson
Arthington
Sherman
Meadows
Keystone
Orchard
State Fairgrounds Serves the Indiana State Fairgrounds/Corteva Coliseum
Park September 1, 2019 Beginning of overlap with Red Line
Meridian/38th Center
34th Street
30th/Museum Serves the Children's Museum of Indianapolis
Fall Creek/Ivy Tech Serves Ivy Tech's Downtown Indianapolis Campus
22nd Street
18th Street
IU Health Serves IU Health Methodist Hospital
14th Street
9th Street
Vermont
Statehouse Serves the Indiana Statehouse
Julia M. Carson Transit Center Transit Center Bay June 26, 2016

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Chalker, Anna (October 14, 2024). "IndyGo Purple Line launches, connecting downtown Indy to Lawrence". WTHR. Retrieved October 14, 2024.
  2. ^ "Purple Line: Connection You to Your City". IndyGo. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Gonzalez, Griffin (October 1, 2024). "IndyGo launching Purple Line October 13th". WRTV. Retrieved October 3, 2024.
  4. ^ Klemet, Sam (August 20, 2014). "What To Make Of The Purple Line?". WFYI. Retrieved October 5, 2024.
  5. ^ Dwyer, Kayla (August 24, 2021). "IndyGo gets $81M from feds toward the Purple Line. Here's how it will be spent". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "Construction and closures begin for IndyGo Purple Line". WTHR. February 25, 2022. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "IndyGo Debuts New RIDE Battery-Electric Buses for BRT Line". Metro Magazine. April 17, 2024. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
  8. ^ Smith, Jordan (April 23, 2025). "IndyGo's Purple Line jumps to No. 1 in monthly ridership as Red Line, other bus routes falter". The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved August 25, 2025.
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