Join Us in Transforming Transit!
Make your voice heard by joining our growing coalition of public transit advocates and champions.
Together, we can build the public transportation system that our community expects and deserves.
Citilink’s Impact
Greater Fort Wayne is the fastest growing city in the Midwest. Let’s advance public transportation so that nobody is left behind.
Everyone rides Citilink, including youth, seniors, people with disabilities, and people with limited English skills or low incomes. 7% of Citilink’s district households do not have car access. 14% of the population lives with a disability, many of whom rely on Citilink’s Access service. 15% of the population lives in poverty. 34% of the population are non-white or of Hispanic/Latino origin, populations that face systemic barriers that increase their reliance on public transportation.
Citilink ridership is growing, with an annual ridership of 1.6 million passenger trips last year and up 6% so far this year.
Citilink matters to people because we provide affordable, accessible, and environmentally friendly transportation options that benefit the entire community. For those without access to personal vehicles, Citilink offers a vital means of mobility, connecting residents to jobs, healthcare, education, and essential services. We link people to life.
Citilink fosters a more connected and sustainable community in Fort Wayne.
Public transportation in Greater Fort Wayne has declined for many years due to funding and service cuts. Ridership has rebounded in recent years, however, indicating strong demand. If Citilink’s 2025 budget is not approved, service cuts will be so steep that state and federal formulas will result in further service cuts.
Join our coalition today to stay in the know of all of our latest updates and to learn about how you can help.
Financials and Breakdowns
What is the fiscal cliff?
According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), nearly half of public transportation agencies in the United States will face budget deficits in the next five years. This is due to flat or declining revenue and increasing operating expenses. Citilink’s budget deficit will arrive next year. Lafayette, South Bend, and other transit agencies face a fiscal cliff in Indiana.
What are the causes of Citilink’s budget shortfall?
In the last decade, Indiana laws constraining public revenues, such as property tax caps, have lowered Citilink’s revenues by more than $10 million. Indiana funding for public transportation, known as the Public Mass Transit Fund (PMTF), has been held virtually flat for the past 11 years. Citilink relied heavily and to a greater extent on federal relief funding during the pandemic. As that funding has expired, Citilink’s costs are $2.5 million higher than its regular budgeted revenue for 2025.
Why is state funding insufficient?
The legislature removed the PMTF from gas tax revenues in 2012, and the fund stopped growing. This $45 million pot of funding is shared by some 66 rural and urban transit agencies in Indiana. Citilink has received about $2.1 million in PMTF funding each year. Since 2012, PMTF funding grew by less than 1% annually on average, while Citilink’s operating costs grew by 54% due to inflation. The time has come for the legislature to improve PMTF funding substantially.
Legislative Priorities
Greater Fort Wayne community leaders have identified public transportation as essential for community and economic development.
The City of Fort Wayne and Allen County’s All in Allen plan, Greater Fort Wayne’s Allen County Together plan, and Visit Fort Wayne’s Tourism Master Plan have each identified needs for expanding public transportation to enhance access to jobs, healthcare, housing, education, and other needs.
Citilink requests that Northeast Indiana delegates will help champion and advance the following priorities:
1. Recognize public transportation as essential to rural and urban communities throughout the state and avoid the unintended harmful statewide effects of legislation intended for Indianapolis.
2. Modernize legislation to give local governing bodies in Northeast Indiana the flexibility and authority needed to establish well-functioning public transportation services that meet rural, urban, and regional needs.
a. Cities and counties, regardless of population size or region of the state, need mechanisms such as city/county ordinances and interlocal agreements to establish public transportation services that overcome barriers created by out-of-date service area boundaries limiting service to county lines.
b. Provide public transportation corporations with mechanisms to raise sustainable local funding through referenda in coordination with local governing bodies.
3. Adjust the Public Mass Transit Fund (PMTF) for inflationary cost increases. Since 2013, Citilink’s PMTF funding has grown by 9%, while operating expenses have grown by 54%.
Citilink Supporters
Our community expects and deserves more from public transportation yet we currently are facing a budget deficit that may force us to cut service.
Join our growing list of community partners, supporters, and coalition members.
Check out some of our community partners below:
In addition to our partners listed above, we also have community members and supporters who see the value that Citilink brings to the greater Fort Wayne community.
Join these people by signing up for our coalition today. Dream of a future with Citilink where public transportation becomes a focal point of our growing city, truly serving the needs of our community, and being able to link everyone in our community to life.
Check out some quotes from our supporters below:
The $2.5 million shortfall of Citilink will impact FWCS by $236,000.
Knowing the impact, FWCS supports the implementation of the special levy. Our students and families directly benefit by having use of Citilink.
We are assured that Citilink will collaborate with FWCS to increase ridership and improve the funding formula.
We will also work together to increase available transportation for our students to increase after-school activity participation.
Respectfully,
Dr. Mark Daniel
Superintendent
Fort Wayne Community Schools
For nearly 25 years, Citilink and CTN have maintained a symbiotic partnership that has supported the varied transportation needs of Fort Wayne. While Citilink has provided transportation to the masses, we have focused on filling the gaps for low-income seniors and people with disabilities. Not only have we continually supported each other, but we’ve also challenged each other to be the best for our riders. Today, we’re advocating for Citilink and asking you to do the best for our community’s riders.
Our community needs you to approve Citilink’s budget and special tax levy. More than 8,000 households in Fort Wayne don’t have a car. They depend on Citilink for access to employment, grocery shopping, community activities, healthcare, and education. Some riders can’t make it all the way to the bus stop, so Citilink offers ACCESS as a paratransit option for those riders.
The ADA requires all public transit authorities to have a paratransit program that operates within ¾ of a mile of any fixed route. Citilink has always gone well beyond that boundary. Unfortunately, if you’re unable to approve their budget, Citilink will be forced to support only the ADA minimum requirement. That change will impact 6,000 trips.
To put this in perspective, CTN provided a little over 22,000 medical rides last year. We don’t have the capacity to pick up an extra 6,000 trips. But, we’re who they will call. Due to our own budget challenges, we are unable to meet our community’s needs the way we want to, and your decision could exacerbate our challenge even more. In a period when we need all hands on deck, failure to pass Citilink’s budget will tie those hands.
We also ask you to look beyond the immediate. A reduction in Citilink’s services risks a slippery slope of federal funding reductions, causing further service reductions, which in turn reduce federal funds, and so on. If we’re going to be a community that is truly focused on growth and prosperity, we have to recognize the role Citilink plays in that growth.
For these reasons, we, the Board of Directors of Community Transportation Network ask you to approve Citilink’s budget and special tax levy.
Justin Clupper
Executive Director
Community Transportation Network
ACPL’s budget for 2025 is approximately $40 million dollars. While any loss of revenue has a degree of impact, an estimated $68k reduction due to the circuit breaker and Citilink’s proposed levy is minimal. We do not anticipate that Citilink’s proposed tax levy would adversely impact ACPL operations and service to library patrons.
ACPL has patrons and staff who depend on Citilink for transportation to work, to school, to shop for their families, and to access lifelong learning opportunities such as visiting ACPL libraries. We recognize the economic and quality of life impacts of public transportation.
Susan P. Baier,
Executive Director (she/her)
Citilink has been instrumental in the program at All God’s Children. During my youth, before I took on the role of director, I depended on the PTC to transport me to and from the neighborhoods, ensuring I arrived at school safely. I wanted to share that experience with the students here. It’s crucial to take advantage of the services available to the community and to know how to navigate them, whether in emergencies or simply for enjoyment. We have depended on these stops for over fifteen years. Without this stop, it would be challenging to travel safely with more than 30 students, and it would hinder our extracurricular activities. We eagerly anticipate riding the bus and bringing joy to the bus driver. The bus rides are more than just a means of transportation; they are an essential part of our daily routine, fostering a sense of community and independence among the students. Each journey is filled with laughter, stories, and the occasional sing-along, transforming a simple commute into a cherished experience. The bus drivers, with their friendly waves and warm greetings, have become an integral part of our extended family, always ensuring our safety and well-being.
We have witnessed firsthand how these rides contribute to the students’ growth, teaching them responsibility and time management. They learn to plan their routes, understand schedules, and navigate the city with confidence. This knowledge is invaluable, empowering them to explore opportunities beyond the confines of their immediate surroundings.
Eliminating this service would not only disrupt our daily operations but also deprive the students of these formative experiences. It is crucial for their development and our community’s cohesion that we maintain this vital connection. We urge the authorities to consider the profound impact this service has on our lives and to continue supporting our efforts to provide a safe, enriching, and joyful journey for all.
Best regards,
Andrenette Lee Montgomery
Director
Please let this serve as a letter of support for Citilink and its proposed 2025 budget request submitted to you for review at your October 8 City Council meeting,
If Citilink’s proposed budget is not approved, there will be a $2.5 million revenue shortfall that will require Citilink to make deep cuts to service in 2025. If not approved, 14% of service will need to be cut, resulting in the loss of more than 300,000 annual passenger trips, or 840 rides per weekday.
Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana leads the way to 100% equity, access and inclusion by enriching education, enhancing health, expanding employment and elevating community. If Citilink’s proposed budget is not approved, service cuts would include routes offered to 58 participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities attending day programs at Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana located at 4919 Coldwater Road in Fort Wayne. Our participants rely on Citilink’s Access services every weekday for morning and afternoon transportation to their day program activities.
Additionally, Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana is seeing a tremendous needs for increased public transportation services within the City of Fort Wayne and Allen County service areas for individuals with disabilities that are pursuing employment opportunities. On average, 80% of people with disabilities in Indiana are either unemployed or underemployed, and a significant barrier toward employment is access to public transportation.
Citilink is a tremendous resource to persons served by Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana for transportation to and from employment. If Citilink’s 2025 budget request is not fully funded, the 14% service cuts will cause disruption and potentially discontinuation of service to 23 people served by Easterseals Arc of Northeast Indiana who are currently employed in Fort Wayne and Allen County and use Citilink to get to and from work each and every day.
Thank you,
Donna Elbrecht
Chief Executive Officer
On behalf of Bowen Health, I am writing to express our strong support for the full funding of Citilink, Fort Wayne’s public transportation system. We provided physical health, mental health, and substance use treatment services to a diverse population, including many individuals and families who rely on public transit to access our services. We see firsthand the essential role Citilink plays in maintaining the health and well-being of our community.
Public transportation allows patients without access to a car or other reliable means of transportation to reach critical healthcare appointments, pharmacy services, and follow-up care. According to a recent study done by CTN, we already know that 23% of our population in Allen County skip preventative healthcare appointments due to lack of transportation. Without Citilink, many of these individuals would face barriers to receiving timely and necessary treatment, potentially leading to worsened health outcomes and increased emergency healthcare costs.
As Fort Wayne continues to grow, it is more important than ever to ensure public services like Citilink keep pace with that growth. Cutting Citilink’s funding or reducing service would disproportionately affect those who are most in need, including seniors, low-income individuals, and those with chronic health conditions. Additionally, the economic impact of cutting services would ripple throughout our community, as individuals are unable to reliably get to work, medical appointments, or other vital destinations.
We strongly encourage the City Council to recognize the integral role Citilink plays in the health and economic stability of Fort Wayne residents and to fully fund Citilink to maintain its services.
Thank you for your time and your dedication to the future of Fort Wayne. We urge you to protect and strengthen Citilink’s funding for the benefit of the entire community.
Sincerely,
Shannon Hannon, MBA, FACHE, CMPE
Chief Operating Officer
September 30, 2024
Fort Wayne City Council
200 E Berry St, Suite 485
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Dear City Council Members,
I am writing on behalf of Inasmuch Ministry, an organization dedicated to serving the working poor and homeless in Fort Wayne. Our mission is to provide basic necessities, and we rely on Citilink, our public transportation system, to ensure that our clients and volunteers can access the services and resources they need to thrive.
Many of the individuals we serve face barriers to transportation, and Citilink provides a vital lifeline that allows them to access essential services such as healthcare, employment, and education. Without reliable public transportation, many vulnerable members of our community would be further marginalized, limiting their ability to achieve independence and stability. In fact, so far in 2024, Inasmuch Ministry has given away over 6,000 bus passes to our clients depend on Citilink for daily transportation. 44% use them to access employment or seek employment; 30% use them for medical appointments; 22% use them for groceries/prescriptions.
Reducing or cutting Citilink services would hinder our ability to fulfill our mission and negatively affect the communities we serve. Should the budget not be approved, Citilink will be forced to make devastating service cuts, impacting 300,000 trips annually and causing over $12 million in lost economic impact to Fort Wayne. Our community’s most vulnerable will feel the brunt of these cuts.
We urge the City Council to prioritize funding for Citilink to avoid service reductions that would have a devastating impact on nonprofits like ours and the people who rely on us. Public transit is not only a matter of mobility but also of equity, inclusion, and community support. By maintaining strong public transportation services, we ensure that all residents of Fort Wayne, regardless of income or ability, have access to the opportunities and services that contribute to a healthy and vibrant community.
Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue. We look forward to your support in preserving and strengthening Fort Wayne’s public transportation system.
Sincerely,
Mary Ann Mings
Director, Inasmuch Ministry
October 7, 2024
Fort Wayne City Council
With a vision of “Full inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of life” The League supports CitiLink’s requested budget and financial plan. Transportation is critical to inclusion and independence.
In FY24, The League served 659 individuals with disabilities and their families in northeast Indiana through intensive case coordination. Of those, 449 are Allen County residents. It should be noted that this number doesn’t include the more than 3,000 served through information and referral, most of the 330+ people who are Deaf that we provide American Sign Language interpretation for, or those using only our home care services. Many of our consumers rely on public transportation to meet their needs.
According to the Centers for Disease Control approximately 25% of the population has a disability. In Allen County that equates to 97,862 Allen County residents having a disability. The regional transportation study commissioned by Community Transportation Network (CTN) reported that 20.84% of respondents have some disability that affects their ability to drive. Extrapolating using that percentage results in more than 19,000 people with disabilities in greater Fort Wayne and Allen County having difficulty driving.
People with Disabilities rely on public transportation for employment, healthcare, education, shopping, and more. On April 25, 2024 The League’s Incluson Institute held an all-day transportation summit with over 100 attendees representing transportation riders, nonprofit leaders, local government leaders, and more. The attendance alone highlights the multitude of people concerned about transportation in greater Fort Wayne.
Consider the following people:
Fred is a 56-year-old man who is blind. He is married has one child, is employed full-time and is a homeowner in 46805. To quote Fred “CitiLink means my livelihood. Without CitiLink I wouldn’t be able to get to my job. Without my job, I wouldn’t be able to make my mortgage payments and support my family.
Margarit is a 67-year-old woman with physical disabilities living on Social Security and income from a small part-time job residing in 46806. To quote Margarit “CitiLink means everything to me. My daughter works a different shift, so I take CitiLink to all my appointments and everywhere. My grandchildren even ride the bus with me on the weekends.”
On behalf of The League, I again state that we support CitiLink’s budget request. We need to maintain and expand services for people with disabilities and our entire community.
Respectfully,
John Guingrich, President/CEO
The League
October 3, 2024
Fort Wayne City Council Members,
We are writing to express our support for fully funding Citilink. Transportation is a resident need and visitor benefit and is validated in Visit Fort Wayne’s 10-Year Tourism Master Plan as one of the 20 recommendations. The Tourism Master Plan received input from 2,221 residents and 671 visitors who all see the value and need for enhanced public transportation and support the continued development of accessible and reliable services – services that are not possible without your support of their funding.
Transportation was mentioned 160 times throughout our 300-page document and was included in 8 recommendations. The comments expressed the need for development through infrastructure and development through supporting existing services including Citilink, CTN, and transportation to and from the airport and downtown Fort Wayne.
We hope you will support fully funding Citilink. Doing so will help enable Citilink to continue its services, save further decline in the organization’s stagnant funding, and allow Citilink to further innovate and improve the connectivity of our community and region for residents and visitors. Visit Fort Wayne supports public transportation, and we encourage others to do the same in realizing the importance of public transportation in connecting our community.
Thank you for considering our support.
Sincerely,
Jill Boggs, President/CEO
Jessa Campbell, Director of Destination Development and Communications
Visit Fort Wayne
John Morris
1123 Locust Street, #137
Saint Louis, MO 63103
3 October 2024
City Council
City of Fort Wayne
200 E. Berry St., Ste. 120
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
City Council Members:
I am writing to express my strong support for the expansion of public transportation services throughout the City of Fort Wayne. As a triple amputee, power wheelchair user, and founder of one of the world’s largest accessible travel websites, I am deeply committed to promoting accessibility and inclusivity for people with disabilities and equal access everywhere. Public transportation is a critical feature of accessible cities, and frequent service opens our communities and the world to people with disabilities.
When I traveled in May 2024 to keynote Visit Fort Wayne’s Power of Tourism event, I remarked on the community’s 10-Year Tourism Master Plan and my sense that private businesses, community organizations, and government were all committed to ensuring that Fort Wayne is accessible to all.
During my visit, I utilized CitiLink bus services to explore the city and attend events — it was an affordable and accessible transportation service that residents and visitors should be able to rely on. As many others will surely tell you, for people disabilities, accessible and reliable transportation is not simply a convenience but a necessity that enables independence, mobility, and full participation in community life. Public transit provides disabled people with the means to access essential services, participate in cultural and social activities, and enjoy the same opportunities as their nondisabled peers. Without a CitiLink service that is frequent, reliable, and expansive, the ability of disabled people to navigate and explore Fort Wayne will be severely limited.
Investment in a robust public transit system is also a necessity for attracting visitors with disabilities to the City of Fort Wayne. Limited accessible transportation options exist in the community (metered taxis and rideshare services like Uber/Lyft have failed to provide wheelchair accessible vehicles), making public transit a critical alternative to costly specialized services that must often be reserved days in advance.
Further investment in public transportation is necessary to ensure that Fort Wayne is positioned as an attractive accessible travel destination for visitors with disabilities. Investments in expanded service, including a city bus link to Fort Wayne International Airport, will make Fort Wayne a more welcoming and attractive destination for all. When visitors with disabilities have access to dependable public transportation, they have the confidence to travel and contribute to the local economy. By renewing and expanding your investment in public transit, you can confirm that Fort Wayne is a city committed to welcoming the contributions of disabled residents and visitors.
I strongly encourage the City Council to prioritize the maintenance and expansion of Fort Wayne’s CitiLink bus services. Enhancing the system’s accessibility and reliability will not only provide a direct benefit to residents, but it will also make the city a more inviting place for visitors with disabilities — the fastest-growing segment of travel consumers.
Sincerely,
John Morris
Founder, WheelchairTravel.org
City Council Thoughts
I’m Matt Morley, the Operations Manager at Citilink. I come to you today not only as an employee of Citilink, but also as a proud citizen of Fort Wayne that wants to see the city reach its fullest potential. I came to Citilink a little over a year ago after spending a long time seeking out a way to give back to this community that helped get me on my feet when I moved here in 2018. It was easy to fall in love with Fort Wayne and to see its potential and I wanted to be a part of that potential. I truly believe I have found that at Citilink. I finally have a place where I can serve my neighbors. Through my position, I’m able to be a helper to around 90 employees, including drivers, dispatchers, and supervisors in our department. I’m also able to be a helper to thousands of passengers that ride our buses around 1.6 million trips annually. Through this position I’m finally able to help my community, and to help others as I was helped in my darkest times of life.
Any time I listen to community leaders speak on the growth of this community, especially compared to those around us in the Great Lakes Region, I’m filled with pride. However, with the growth of our community as a whole, the growth of Citilink has been stunted due to a lack of funding and investment from the national, state, and local levels. I truly believe that Fort Wayne has the potential to be a powerful voice in the Midwest, but I also believe that Fort Wayne will never reach it’s fullest potential unless Citilink reaches its fullest potential. I work with so many drivers and administrators that have big dreams and goals for Citilink, unfortunately, we are struggling to get the proper funding just to keep our current status. I urge the city council to be the first ones in our local and state leadership to finally make the decision to invest in public transportation with growth in mind, and not just trying to get by. Not funding Citilink and cutting service will be a detriment to the current citizens and will be a reason some people don’t move here or choose to move away.
I ask you to not waste the amazing potential that is currently at our fingertips. Please fund public transit in Fort Wayne. Thank you.
Letter to City Council from Laura Claypool
I’m asking you to approve the Citilink budget being presented to you on October 8 and up for a vote on October 22.
My family is fortunate to have vehicles available for our transportation needs, and I imagine you do too. Likely, if we suddenly found ourselves without transportation, we have family or friends who would ensure we could get to work, the doctor, the grocery store, or school. But what if we didn’t? Today, Citilink allows many to move through their daily lives, counting on this transportation to get to work, go to the doctor, school, or visit family and friends. Affordable and reliable public transportation gives our neighbors access to life in the same way you and I have.
As new people consider relocating and reviewing Fort Wayne, we have many fine jewels to showcase: ACPL, our arts community, family-friendly attractions, etc. Citilink is also a jewel with much, much potential, but it needs a boost now! Citilink is crucial to our community. On average, every dollar invested in public transportation results in five dollars of economic benefit. That’s quite a return on investment!
Unfortunately, for a variety of reasons, Citilink is facing a budget shortfall that threatens to cut service if nothing is done. They’ve not been given the resources to grow alongside our beloved Fort Wayne. Citilink is doing everything it can to control costs and in a creative way. We’re all aware of their first fare increase since 2008—from $1.25 to $1.50. They also received a multi-million-dollar federal grant (one of only two in the state) for electric hybrid buses—a major win for Citilink! But Citilink has fallen behind and is facing numerous challenges.
What’s the cost? If you do not approve the budget, 300,000 Citilink trips are at risk due to an approximate 14% budget cut. That’s a deep cut and hurts, especially with ridership having recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Our neighbors want and need public transportation. If you approve this request, the cost to Fort Wayne taxpayers who haven’t yet met their property tax cap is approximately $1 per month.
I would gladly pay this amount to ensure the future of Citilink. The day could come when you or I need this service to get to the grocery store, doctor, or library. It’s well worth the investment.
Thank you for your attention to this important community request, and please vote to APPROVE the Citilink budget request!
Laura E Claypool
Allen County Registered Voter
New Haven Resident/Taxpayer
Related to Casey Claypool, Citilink employee, these are my personal thoughts and reflections on this upcoming budget request.
