Monroe County Approves $184K to Keep Bloomington Transit Route 13 Running

Funding will maintain west side bus service to Ivy Tech and local employers for one year

Mar. 11, 2026 at 1:34am

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The Monroe County Council unanimously approved $184,104 in Economic Development Income Tax (EDIT) funding to keep Bloomington Transit's Route 13 operating for one year. The route connects downtown Bloomington to the Ivy Tech campus and nearby employers on the west side, outside city limits. The funding was necessary after Bloomington Transit gave notice of a potential route cancellation due to the requirement to use non-city funds for service outside Bloomington.

Why it matters

The continuation of Route 13 is seen as crucial for providing transit access to jobs and education opportunities along the west side corridor, which includes major employers like Cook Medical and Simtra. The county's decision to fund the out-of-city portion of the route highlights the challenges of regional transit coordination and equity, as the council debated the appropriate process and funding model compared to past decisions about urban-to-urban transit service.

The details

The one-year, $184,104 appropriation will allow Bloomington Transit to maintain Route 13, which was launched a year ago to connect downtown Bloomington to the Ivy Tech campus, Cook Medical, and other employers in the Park 48 corridor outside city limits. When Bloomington's city council made it legal for Bloomington Transit to provide service outside the city in 2023, a stipulation required the transit agency to use non-city funds for any out-of-city routes.

  • The Monroe County Council approved the $184,104 appropriation on March 10, 2026.
  • The Monroe County Commissioners are expected to approve the one-year interlocal agreement with Bloomington Transit at their meeting on March 12, 2026.

The players

Monroe County Council

The governing body of Monroe County, Indiana that unanimously approved the $184,104 appropriation to keep Bloomington Transit's Route 13 operating.

Bloomington Transit

The public transportation agency serving the city of Bloomington, Indiana, which operates Route 13 connecting downtown to the west side Ivy Tech campus and nearby employers.

Monroe County Commissioners

The executive body of Monroe County, Indiana that is expected to approve the one-year interlocal agreement with Bloomington Transit to fund the out-of-city portion of Route 13.

Ivy Tech

A public community college system in Indiana with a campus located in the Park 48 corridor on Bloomington's west side, served by Bloomington Transit's Route 13.

Cook Medical

A major medical device manufacturer located in the Park 48 corridor on Bloomington's west side, an employment center served by Bloomington Transit's Route 13.

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What they’re saying

“Our constituents are looking for ways to get to work, and … this is something that they rely on.”

— Trent Deckard, Monroe County Councilor (bsquarebulletin.com)

“Of course we're going to support people to get to their work.”

— David Henry, Monroe County Councilor (bsquarebulletin.com)

What’s next

The Monroe County Commissioners are expected to approve the one-year interlocal agreement with Bloomington Transit at their meeting on March 12, 2026, finalizing the funding for Route 13.

The takeaway

This decision highlights the challenges of regional transit coordination and equity, as the county council debated the appropriate process and funding model compared to past decisions. However, the unanimous approval demonstrates the importance of maintaining transit access to jobs and education opportunities along Bloomington's west side corridor.