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New Survey Shows Strong Community Support for Public Transit in Greater Fort Wayne 

Community and Business Leaders Urged to Join Citilink in Taking Action

FORT WAYNE, Ind., (April 10, 2025)  — A newly released community survey, conducted by ETC Institute and identified as a strategic priority for the organization, underscores broad public support for Citilink and highlights key goals for bolstering transit support in Allen County. The survey, which included 418 statistically significant responses from a diverse cross-section of the community, reveals that residents recognize the value of public transit and support strategic investments to enhance service.

Among the key findings:

• 1 in 3 Allen County residents have used Citilink in the past 12 months.
• 60% of respondents rate Citilink’s service as “excellent” or “good.”
• 4 out of 5 agree that investing in public transit benefits the community.
• 75% support additional funding to expand transit services.

Survey participants identified top priorities for transit improvements, including:

• 69% supporting new routes in underserved areas.
• 55% favoring connections to the airport and major employers.
• 49% wanting extended service hours to better accommodate riders.

“These findings make it clear—robust, well-funded public transit is essential to Greater Fort Wayne’s future,” said John Metzinger, Citilink’s General Manager and CEO. “Our community overwhelmingly supports expanding transit, yet local and state elected officials have not committed to sustainable investment to offset cost inflation and resolve Citilink’s budget shortfall. At a time when Citilink is facing devastating service cuts due to lack of funding support, this is a call to action. Now is the time for residents, businesses, and leaders to rally together and demand investment in a transit system that connects more people to jobs, education, and opportunity.”

In addition to the survey results, a recent and continuing series of community advocacy workshops further highlights overwhelming support for transit expansion, with 98% of participants agreeing that expanded transit access is valuable.

Through these workshops, three key areas of focus have emerged:

• Community Support: Advocacy and public awareness efforts to increase engagement.
• Employer Engagement: Strengthening partnerships with businesses to support transit solutions.
• Funding Solutions: Identifying creative and sustainable approaches to finance transit growth.

“The community has spoken—we need transit that connects people to jobs, education, and opportunity,” said Vice President of Community Supports Easterseals Northeast Indiana Stacey Duell. “Creating lasting change takes all of us—residents, businesses, and local leaders—coming together to advocate, invest, and take action for a stronger, more accessible transit system for all.”

“Our community is at a crossroads. This survey validates what the organization has always known: the Greater Fort Wayne community expects and deserves a thriving public transit system,” said Kyle Miller, State Representative for District 82 and Citilink board member. “Citilink has tried for years to thrive and the lesson learned is that our community’s riders will not be successful unless we all come together with one voice to demand it.” 

Community leaders, residents, and businesses who recognize the critical role of public transit in the region’s continued growth are encouraged to stay engaged by signing up for updates and participating in ongoing discussions about improving local transit. Two upcoming opportunities to get involved include the “Help Us Fund the Future of Transit” public workshop on May 9 and the “Let’s Talk Transit & Workforce” Employer Breakfast on May 14. Sign-up and registration can be found at www.fwcitilink.com/join-us, where you can also sign up to stay informed about opportunities to engage. 

Results from the survey can be accessed by clicking the following link: 2025 Citilink Community Survey. 

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About Citilink:

Citilink is the public transportation provider for Fort Wayne, Indiana, and the surrounding areas. With a mission of linking people to life, Citilink operates a comprehensive network of bus routes, serving thousands of passengers daily. Committed to providing safe, reliable, and accessible transportation, Citilink plays a vital role in enhancing the quality of life for residents and visitors alike. To learn more information about Citilink, visit the website at www.fwcitilink.com.