Disclaimer: The information in this blogpost is subject to change, based upon public input and final Citilink decisions.

Upcoming Proposed Service Updates: Summer 2026

Citilink is currently reviewing two proposed service updates for the greater Fort Wayne community. These proposals are part of Citilink’s ongoing effort to ensure transit service reflects how Fort Wayne continues to grow and change.

Over the past 13 years, Fort Wayne has experienced significant shifts in development, employment centers, housing patterns, and travel needs. As the city evolves, Citilink must periodically review routes and schedules to ensure service remains reliable, efficient, and aligned with rider needs.

Community input is an important part of this process.

Proposed Updates

Route 15 and Route 21 Combination – Proposed 21 Medlink

Citilink is proposing to combine Route 15 and Route 21 into a single route called 21 Medlink.

These routes currently serve many of the same areas and individually have some of the lowest ridership in the Citilink system. Combining them would reduce duplicate service while maintaining access to important destinations such as:

• Medical facilities

• Housing areas

• Retail centers

Citilink is also working in partnership with Parkview Health to help support continued access to medical services along this route.

The proposed route would also improve connections with other Citilink routes.

Route 8 Schedule Adjustment

Citilink is also reviewing a schedule adjustment for Route 8 (Glenbrook/Northrop and Calhoun/Southtown).

The goal of this change is to better align the route with other Citilink services and improve timed connections at Central Station, making transfers easier for riders traveling across the network.

Public Meetings

Citilink will host two public meetings to review the proposals and collect community feedback.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026

11:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Parkview Mirro Center for Research & Innovation
Conference Room C
10622 Parkview Plaza Dr.

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
ACPL Dupont Branch
Meeting Room A
536 E Dupont Rd.

Share Your Feedback

Community feedback helps shape Citilink service.

Riders and residents are encouraged to attend a public meeting to review the proposals, ask questions, and provide input before final decisions are made.

Proposed Timeline

• March 25, 2026 – Public meetings

• March–April 2026 – Community feedback review

• Summer 2026 – Potential implementation (if approved)

 

Citilink Service Change Quick Guide: Q1 2026

 

Upcoming 3 Village Woods Route: Starts on March 2, 2026

Map of Upcoming 3 Village Woods Route

Turn by Turn of Upcoming 3 Village Woods Route

Outbound: Central Station from Bay K, Right on Calhoun, Right on Creighton, Left on Fairfield, Left on Pursley, Right on Calhoun, Left on Tillman, Left on Hanna, Right on Lafayette, Left on John, Right on Tamera Gardens, Left on John, Right on Lafayette, Right on Hanna, Right on Paulding

 

Inbound: Left on Hessen Cassel, Left on Maple Grove, Left on Werling, Right on Pettit, Right on Lafayette, Left on Rudisill, Right on Fairfield, Right on Creighton, Left on Calhoun, Left into facility, Enter at second entrance, Park at Bay B

 

Upcoming 6 Southeast Route: Starts on March 2

Map of Upcoming 6 Southeast Route

Turn by Turn of Upcoming 6 Southeast Route

Outbound: Central Station from Bay J, Right on Calhoun, Left on Wallace, Right on Hanna, Left at the south entrance of the U-shaped drive at the Hanna/Creighton facility, Stop at the south shelter to drop off and pick up customers, Loop back, Left on Hanna, Right on Creighton, Left on Warsaw, Left on Oxford, Right on Hessen Cassel, Left on Wayne Trace, Right on McKinnie, Left on Hessen Cassel, Left on Paulding, Right on Wayne Trace,

Inbound: Right on Tillman, Right on Hessen Cassel, Left on McKinnie, Right on Hanna, Right at the south entrance of the U-shaped drive at the Hanna/Creighton facility, Stop at the north shelter to drop off and pick up customers, Loop back, Right on Hanna, Left on Wallace, Right on Calhoun, Left into facility, Park in entrance next to building at Bay E

 

Upcoming 7 Anthony Route: Starts on March 2, 2026

Map of Upcoming 7 Anthony Route

Turn by Turn of Upcoming 7 Anthony Route

Outbound: Central Station from Bay G, Left on Calhoun, Right on Lewis, Right on Hanna, Left at the south entrance of the U-shaped drive of the Hanna/Creighton facility, Stop at the south shelter to drop off and pick up customers, Left on Hanna, Left on Creighton, Right on Anthony, Left on Decatur, Turn around in cul-de-sac back to Anthony, Left on Anthony, Cross U.S. 27, Right on S Phoenix Parkway, Right on N Southtown Crossing, Left on Southtown Blvd, Continue straight to bus stop on south side of Wal-Mart

Inbound: Leave Wal-Mart straight to Patriot Crossing, Left on Patriot Crossing, Left on S Phoenix Parkway, Left on Anthony, Right on Decatur Rd, Turn around in cul-de-sac back to Anthony, Right on Anthony, Left on Pontiac, Right on Hanna, Right at the south entrance of the U-shaped drive of the Hanna/Creighton facility, Stop at the south shelter to drop off and pick up customers, Right on Hanna, Left on Lewis, Left on Calhoun, Right on Baker, Left on Harrison, Left into facility, Park in Bay G

 

Why These Changes Are Happening

Citilink, like many transit agencies nationwide, faces financial challenges. More than 90% of our funding comes from local taxes and federal grants, and both sources have limits. The expiration of temporary COVID-era federal funding, flat state support, and ongoing cost inflation have created a structural budget deficit projected between $2.7 and $3.9 million over the next four years.

Citilink is updating several routes to improve reliability, efficiency, and service consistency across Greater Fort Wayne. These updates are based on ridership patterns, destinations most riders travel to, operational performance, and community input.

We know that any change to your daily route can be stressful. We are deeply grateful to our riders and community for taking the time to share your thoughts and for understanding the difficult realities behind these proposed changes.

We know these adjustments aren’t easy for you or for us and we want you to know we don’t take them lightly. Your feedback helps us make the most responsible choices possible while keeping Citilink strong for the future.

What Are the Changes?

• Routes 5 & 7 consolidated:
  The Southeast Local (Route 5) will be retired. Routes 7 Anthony/Oxford and 7A Anthony via Creighton will be combined into one route.

Their coverage areas will be served by updated Route 3 (Village Woods), Route 6 (currently McKinnie/proposed to rename as Southeast), and updated Route 7 (proposed to rename as Anthony)

• Expanded Route 3 & 6 coverage:
  Both routes will provide improved access along Hanna St., Fairfield Ave., Burns Blvd., Calhoun St., Pontiac St., and Lafayette St., serving key apartment communities and Bowen Health.

These updates also create a new direct connection from the Pontiac Street Market to Central Station, improving access to fresh food in an area previously considered a food desert. The former Route 5 only circulated locally and did not connect downtown, so this new link provides greater opportunity for residents citywide.

• Deviations streamlined:
  Some neighborhood deviation trips will shift to low-floor fixed-route buses for easier boarding and system-wide access.
• Reliable frequency:
  These updated routes will run on a consistent 60-minute schedule, maintaining at least seven buses per hour east of Calhoun to ensure strong Southeast coverage.

Maps of the Routes and Changes

Current System Map

 

 

 

Upcoming System Map

 

 

Current Map Zoomed In

 

 

Upcoming Map Zoomed In

 

Southeast Service Update: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why is Citilink making changes to routes in Southeast Fort Wayne?
We are updating routes throughout the system to improve reliability, simplify routing, and better match where riders are traveling today. These changes help provide more predictable and direct service.

As we continue to face budget shortfalls, we continue to analyze our routes for efficiencies. We started with the routes that had the lowest ridership and duplicative service (EG two routes traveling the same road) and will be working on additional updates throughout 2026.

Is Southeast still getting enough service?
Yes. Southeast remains one of the most well-served areas in the city. It receives about one-quarter of all Citilink service, the second-highest share among all four quadrants.

Does this mean Southeast is losing service?
No. Service is being reorganized, not removed. Routes continue to serve Southtown Center, New Haven access, and the Anthony corridor, supporting travel to jobs, healthcare, retail, and residential areas.

What improvements are riders likely to see?
These changes help provide:
• Consistent hourly service on every route
• More direct trips with fewer deviations
• Better connections to key destinations
• Easier schedules to understand and plan around

Why focus on direct routes?
Direct routing helps reduce overall travel time, improves on-time performance, and ensures service is being used where it is most needed.

Will Saturday service remain?
Yes. Saturday service continues in Southeast on all currently served corridors.

How were these decisions made?
We used:

• Ridership patterns
• Driver feedback
• Transit-dependent population data
• Destinations most riders travel to
• Operational performance
• Public feedback from riders and community partners

Will Citilink continue listening to rider input?
Absolutely. Rider feedback is essential. We are sharing updated information at community meetings and encourage riders to ask questions and share their experience so we can continue to support what works well.

Where can I see the new routes and schedules?
• Visit this blogpost
• Follow Citilink on Facebook for updates
• Call Customer Service at (260) 432-4546 if you need additional support