Editor’s Note: If you want your voice to be heard by City Council, join us at the Public Hearing on Tuesday, October 8 at Citizens Square, 200 E Berry St, Fort Wayne, IN, Room 35 (Council Chambers). We are first on the agenda and advise you to arrive by 5:15 PM.
We are releasing this in conjunction with the re-launch of our Join Us page on our website. Please click the link HERE to join our coalition and see how you can support public transportation in Fort Wayne.
Please see below a letter from Casey Claypool, Citilink’s Marketing and Development Director.
Fort Wayne has been my home since December 2007. Over the past eight years, I’ve dedicated myself to serving Allen County, focusing on root-cause changes. Through this work, I learned a hard truth that many already knew: transportation is a major struggle for our community.
As I delved deeper—through both data and personal stories—it became clear that transportation has been a long-standing issue. In fact, nearly 25 years ago, a nonprofit, the Community Transportation Network (CTN), was created to help fill the gaps. Despite these efforts, many community leaders have expressed a sense of dejection, feeling that the problems facing public transit are insurmountable.
When I had the opportunity to contribute my skills at Citilink, Greater Fort Wayne’s public transportation provider, I was eager to get involved and make an impact. However, the challenges we face are daunting, multifaceted, and often outside Citilink’s control.
Today, Citilink shoulders an immense burden, yet we cannot bear it alone. While we are held accountable for not meeting community expectations, we lack the necessary support to move our community forward. Fort Wayne has grown substantially, but Citilink’s service has struggled to keep pace, leaving mobility needs unmet.
To provide context, Citilink operates under a quasi-government structure, with a board of directors appointed by the City of Fort Wayne and the City Council. Our budget is reviewed and approved by the City Council every October. Our funding streams include federal and state subsidies, local property taxes, and revenue from ticket sales—but we receive no direct financial contributions from the city or county to support our community’s transportation needs.
The 2008 housing crisis significantly reduced property tax revenues due to the Circuit Breaker law, costing us over $10 million. Compounding this, in 2011, Indiana removed public transit from eligibility for the gas tax, opting instead for a discretionary line item. This line has grown by just 9%, while Citilink’s operations have expanded by 54%.
These financial strains were exacerbated by the pandemic, which drove up bus prices and reduced ridership. Although we’ve made strides—like acquiring new paratransit scheduling software, reopening half-hourly service on Route #4, and investing in mobile ticketing and community engagement—these efforts are overshadowed by a looming fiscal cliff.
Citilink is cutting costs where possible, proposing a fare increase, and collaborating with partners to secure additional revenue. We’re exploring all potential solutions within our control and have identified some opportunities for the community to prioritize public transit.
One key solution comes from state law, which guides our board to draw a levy on special property tax when public transit faces a budget deficit. This would cost residents between $4 and $12 per year for those who haven’t reached their tax cap—no more than $1 per month to help retain our services. According to the American Public Transportation Association, every $1 invested in public transit yields a $5 economic benefit to the community. We’re asking for that small investment now so we can continue to serve those who rely on us.
This is the first time our board has had to invoke this levy, and we are committed to transparency as we navigate these waters. While the levy would generate some funds, we’re learning it could also reduce allocations to other civil services. We don’t yet know the exact impact on these agencies and it’s unfortunate that current tax laws are so complex and can make this decision difficult. We empathize with our fellow civil service agencies facing similar challenges. However, while some of these entities may seek taxpayer support via referenda, Citilink must first enact this levy by law before considering service cuts. The community has made it clear: public transit is an essential service that must be preserved and expanded.
City Council faces tough decisions every year, and the 2025 budget cycle is no exception. If they choose not to approve our budget, we’ll be forced to consider our last, most detrimental option: cutting 14% of our service to offset the deficit. History has shown that service cuts lead to a vicious cycle—reduced trips, decreased federal funding, and further cuts down the line.
This month, City Council will determine the future of public transit in Fort Wayne. Without local government support, we face severe service reductions. The choice rests with our City Council members.
To the people of Greater Fort Wayne: your voice matters. Our City Council members are committed to serving the community, and they need to hear from us to make informed decisions. Public transit has not been at the forefront of local conversations for a long time, but Citilink is working to change that. It will take a collective effort to ensure our voices are heard.
Wondering how you can help? Contact your City Council representatives and share your stories about the value of Citilink’s services. Let them know where you stand on Citilink’s budget.
- Paul Ensley, 1st District
- Russ Jehl, 2nd District
- Nathan Hartman, 3rd District
- Dr. Scott Myers, 4th District
- Geoff Paddock, 5th District
- Rohli Booker, 6th District
- Martin Bender, At Large
- Michelle Chambers, At Large
- Tom Freistroffer, At Large
Write to:
City Council Office, Citizens Square Suite 120,
200 E. Berry St., Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Email: citycouncil@cityoffortwayne.org
Attend the Public Hearing:
We are first on the agenda and advise you to arrive by 5:15p to make your voice heard.
Tuesday, October 8, 5:30 PM
Citizens Square, Room 35 (Council Chambers)
Citilink is more than just a transportation provider; we are a lifeline to jobs, healthcare, education, and other essential services. We need your support to ensure Citilink continues to connect people to opportunities and helps Fort Wayne thrive. Use your voice to keep Citilink linking people to life.
In solidarity,
Casey Claypool
Marketing & Development Director, Citilink
