TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) — At the start of 2025, Terre Haute’s bus transit became fare-free in hopes of increasing riders.
Now, the city’s summer interns have been designing a plan to keep that progress going.
Tuesday afternoon, they presented a plan to city officials, including Mayor Brandon Sakbun and Director of Public Work Jessee Tohill.
The team of interns each covered a department, such as legal and communications.
They found the bus stops around the city that needed the most work, the cost to improve them, and how they can encourage more residents to take the bus.
Sidney Humphrey was the legal intern, and Keyona Young was the mayor’s intern, however, they both focused on accessibility for residents.
“We were looking into the guidelines to make sure that we have the space that is needed to allow things like wheelchairs into the shelter and allow them to sit next to the benches”, Humphrey said.
“With the transit app and the features that it does have when it comes to ADA compliance and accessibility compliance and making sure people know those are available”, Young said. “You can customize your settings, so the app is tailored to you and your specific needs.”
In total, the interns predicted that updating each bus stop in need would cost around $75,000. Terre Haute city officials will now be looking at how they could put this plan into action.
