Whitestown EID approves $550,000 2026 budget; members review connector ridership, Lyft pilot and outreach

The Town of Whitestown Economic Improvement Board on Oct. 14 approved a proposed 2026 budget of $550,000 and spent much of the meeting reviewing recent ridership data for the Whitestown Connector, a rider survey with low response and the Plainfield EID’s Lyft pilot and online employer outreach.

The board voted 3-0 to approve the EID’s proposed 2026 budget, which the board described as a $550,000 plan that includes about $500,000 for operating expenses and $50,000 for marketing. Board members said the operating costs for the connector are expected to remain similar to 2025, with annual connector expenses “just shy of $400,000.” The board’s approval will be forwarded as a recommendation to the Town Council in November.

The budget discussion followed a presentation on rider outreach and survey results. Amanda, a staff member who works with the connector and outreach activities, summarized a short rider survey and broader recruitment and marketing efforts. “It is like pulling teeth right now to get anybody to complete surveys,” Amanda said, describing difficulties getting responses despite advertising and a $50 prize drawing.

Amanda said the team received five survey responses that included home ZIP codes (two from 46203, and one each from 46204, 46218 and 46224). Most respondents reported boarding at the downtown transit center; a couple said they boarded at Lafayette Square Mall. The small sample also showed varied work schedules and tenure on the connector: responses included riders who had used the service less than three months, three to 12 months, one to two years and more than two years.

Amanda said two respondents agreed to be contacted for follow-up interviews and that staff plan continued outreach through newsletters, bus flyers and in-person conversations. “We even had, I think you guys knew $50 behind it saying, ‘Hey, complete the survey,’” she said, adding bus drivers and staff encouraged riders to participate.

Board members and staff also reviewed recent ridership and marketing activity. The board reported 846 riders in July, noted a dip in August and an upswing in September. Staff said JTPR mailers reached an estimated 25,000 households in the summer and another 25,000 sent to low-income homes. Outreach staff attend Marion County events and the Julia Carson Transit Center to connect potential riders with Whitestown job opportunities along the connector route.

The board discussed Plainfield Economic Improvement District’s website and a Lyft pilot it has operated for about a year to provide more-local trips for workers. Amanda said Plainfield capped its Lyft subsidy at $25 per ride after rising costs and that the Plainfield program has attracted some riders from Marion and Johnson counties as well as Hendricks County. The board discussed the possibility of studying a similar program and noted that maintaining up-to-date employer job links on a local website requires ongoing effort.

Board members discussed potential next steps if the board chose to use EID funds on additional services, such as a Lyft-style subsidy or an EID website to promote employers and jobs. The proposed 2026 budget leaves room for marketing and pilot projects; board members said any expenditure above the approved budget would require an additional appropriation request to the Town Council.

Board members agreed to continue periodic rider surveying and outreach and to investigate Plainfield’s program costs and website options. The board also reviewed 2026 meeting dates and adjourned after approving the minutes from July 8, 2025 earlier in the meeting.

(Ending) The board’s recommendation on the 2026 budget will go to the Town Council in November for final consideration; staff said they will continue outreach and follow up with additional data from rider interviews and vendor cost information.