Transit advocates to show support at House hearing

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - More than 200 people are expected to attend meeting at the Statehouse to show their support for a public referendum on mass transit funding.

The bill is on the schedule for Wednesday's Ways and Means Committee hearing. The legislation would create a nine-county transit district and allow ballot questions in Marion and Hamilton counties on whether to raise local income taxes to help fund mass transit projects.

Proposed projects include a commuter rail line from Noblesville to downtown Indianapolis and doubling bus service in the Indianapolis area.

The Transit Day exhibition will follow the House hearing. The program will include speakers in the Statehouse north atrium.

Coordinator of the Indiana Citizens' Alliance for Transit Kim Irwin says individuals and groups from all corners of Indiana have registered for the event.