Editor,
Driving in Carmel during rush hour has become a torturous endeavor. Roundabouts are lined up after roundabouts and cars clog busy thoroughfares. Frustration boils over as there is no way to go but to move slowly forward. Your car, your source of freedom, has become your metal prison.
As Carmel grows, cars become more congested and driving becomes more frustrating and time-consuming. How can we solve the traffic jam? With buses.
Buses are often the object of ridicule in this country, especially in the suburbs. Simple math shows that they are miles ahead of the game when it comes to transporting people.
A single lane can carry 1,000 to 2,000 people per hour. A regular bus? Anywhere between 8,000 and 10,000. Bus Rapid Transit? Up to 20,000 people per hour. The numbers speak for themselves: to transport people, we need buses (trains are even better, but light rail is prohibited).
Fortunately, there is a bus rapid transit system south of Carmel, the Red Line. Currently, the Red Line only extends to 66th Street in Indianapolis. Carmel should negotiate with Indianapolis (and the state) about extending the Red Line to Carmel. Commuters could then take a bus to downtown Indianapolis, which would free up the streets for cars and improve traffic.
After connecting to the Red Line, Carmel needs to build its own bus network and even its own bus rapid transit. Connecting Carmel City Center to downtown Fishers would be an excellent start. Do it now or let Carmel become a parking lot.
Josh Hollingsworth, Carmel
