Whitestown Connector posts record 2025 ridership; board reports $580K revenue

Todd Barker presented the Whitestown Economic Improvement Board’s 2025 annual report to the council, saying the board collected just over $580,000 in revenue against roughly $430,000 in expenses and recorded 9,481 riders on the Whitestown Connector—its highest total since 2020. Barker credited a midyear vendor change and a route/stop revision that shifted the primary pickup from Trader Point to Lafayette Square, where more Indigo routes stop, for increased ridership.

The report noted the Whitestown Connector is managed day-to-day by SERA and operated by contractor Go Express. Barker said the board retains surplus funds to support transit-related capital investments rather than returning them to contributing members; potential uses include bus shelters, pedestrian connections, or stop amenities. Council members asked whether such surplus is retained and Barker confirmed it is held by the board for those kinds of improvements.

Council discussion focused on coordination and outreach. Members asked what triggers route reviews and learned SERA and Go Express recommended the midyear changes after observing low-use stops. Staff also described efforts to market the service to area employers, including monthly outreach and a recent HR roundtable intended to increase awareness among local human resources teams.

The council did not take formal action on the report but thanked staff. The presentation closed with staff offering to answer follow-up questions and to pursue potential stop or access improvements if the board recommends them.