Transit Triangle Offers Convenient LaPorte County Travel in 2015

PNC-Transit-Triangle-2015The Transit Triangle commuter bus service that connects LaPorte, Michigan City and Purdue University North Central offers convenient, affordable transportation to anyone who wants to travel between these locations for work, school, leisure or personal business.

Two newly built buses will be put into service this month. They each seat 26 passengers and are equipped with an ADA wheelchair lift and two wheelchair positions. Seats include seat belts and USB ports are available. Riders will benefit from climate-control heating and air conditioning. There are on-board security cameras. The buses replace two leased buses which have been in service for the first 5 months of the Transit Triangle.

The two buses operate weekdays on fixed routes between LaPorte and PNC, Michigan City and PNC and Michigan City and LaPorte. Each route offers three morning runs and three afternoon runs between 6 a.m. and 5:57 p.m. During the LaPorte County Fair, July 13 through 17, a stop will be added at the fairgrounds.

Transit Triangle riders are able to travel to PNC to enroll at the university or take advantage of the many activities and conveniences offered on campus. The public campus welcomes visitors. Summer guests may come out to enjoy the large-scale outdoor sculptures on campus and view the many art exhibits found in each of the three current campus buildings. Conveniently located picnic tables provide a scenic spot to relax for a meal. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic basket or purchase food and drink in the PNC cafeteria in the Library-Student-Faculty Building. Building hours are Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Bards’ Pond and Shakespeare’s Garden provide a peaceful, park-like setting where guests can relax.

Families with young children may enjoy the learning activities offered by the Nancy Dworkin Born Learning Trail and the disc golf course offers fun for all ages. The public library, also located in the Library-Student-Faculty Building, is open to everyone for reading and research and books may be borrowed.

In Michigan City, the Transit Triangle stops at Marquette Mall. A number of shopping and dining opportunities are within walking distance. For anyone who wants to venture to the Social Security Administration office, the South Shore Line, Washington Park and Zoo, the Lighthouse Place Premium Outlet Mall, the Uptown Art District, Bureau of Motor Vehicles and the Blue Chip Casino, it is easy to catch the Michigan City Transit bus for a quick ride to the next destination and back to the mall.

The Transit Triangle gives area residents the opportunity to commute to jobs at a very reasonable price.

In addition, Baron’s Bus, an inter-city bus network from of Ohio, makes daily stops at Marquette Mall, connecting with Greyhound and other major carriers both to the east and west. Coach USA stops at Marquette Mall and provides service to both airports in Chicago.

In LaPorte, stops include the La Porte County Courthouse, 809 State St., Dunham’s at LaPorte Town Square and the Thomas Rose Industrial Park, 1540 Genesis Drive. These stops provide convenient access to the LaPorte County Courthouse, IU Health LaPorte Hospital and the city’s many shopping and dining opportunities. It also provides access to jobs, including Thomas Rose Industrial Park and the New Porte Landing redevelopment area.

Once in LaPorte, further transportation is available through TransPorte, a demand-response system – a “shared-ride taxi” service. For one low rate a person can call and a vehicle is dispatched to take them from any location in the city to any location in the city for one price. Riders may travel to destinations of their choice, for example, someone can travel to work at Alcoa Howmet or visit the County Museum

For the LaPorte County Fair week from July 13 through 17 riders will also find a temporary stop at the fairgrounds gate on Zigler Road. The stop will be part of the LaPorte to PNC loop at the LaPorte County Fairgrounds. Riders from Michigan City will be able to connect in either direction around the loop, either through PNC or through downtown LaPorte, to transfer and get to the fair. Fair goers are welcome to enjoy a day at the fair, spending only $3 for the round trip.

The schedule can be found on the Transit Triangle website, www.TransitTriangle.com.

The Transit Triangle fares are:
- One-way single: $1.50 (exact change is required)

- One-way single fare with MC Transit Pass or LaPorte TransPorte Pass: $1 (exact change is required)

- 10-Ride pass: $12.50

- Children five and under ride for free

- Monthly Commuter pass: $30 (Based on the calendar month. The pass is non-transferable.)

Passengers may transfer for free between buses within the Transit Triangle route.

Several options are available to purchase a pass. To pay by credit card, call the Michigan City Controller’s

Office at 219-873-1404 and passes will be sent via the U.S. Postal Service or passes can be picked up at the Controller’s Office at Michigan City City Hall, 100 East Michigan Boulevard, the TransPorte Office, 102 L St., LaPorte or at the PNC Bursar’s Office in Schwarz Hall Room 127. Non-credit card passes can be purchased in person at any one of these locations by cash or check.

Passengers may transfer for free between buses within the Transit Triangle route.

The Transit Triangle has been made possible using Federal Transportation funding, with local matching funds provided by Michigan City, City of LaPorte, LaPorte County, and Purdue University’s North Central Campus. It is operated by Michigan City Transit as administrative grantee and lead agency, with one of the routes being served by TransPorte of the City of LaPorte.

Further information, including the schedule, can be found on the Transit Triangle website, www.TransitTriangle.com. The website can also be accessed through the MC Transit website at www.emichigancity.com/cityhall/departments/coach/ and the LaPorte TransPorte website at www.cityoflaporte.com/transporte.