After reporting from the Democratic Convention in Denver, we realized teens there can be more independent than us.

We used the bus system in the center of the city. There are more than 100 bus routes, compared to 28 in Indianapolis. To us, it seems like it should be the other way around, considering that the urban population of Indianapolis is 200,000 more than Denver’s.

The Indianapolis Star reported Oct. 5 that in 2004, Denver approved a tax increase to start a $4.7 billion public transportation expansion. It is the nation’s largest multi-modal public transit system. This system uses trains and buses to go through the city, suburbs and airport.

While at the convention, we talked to U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh about his views on Indianapolis’ public transportation system.

“Well, we got a great bus system, but we ought to expand it and improve it. And one of the things that I’ve been pleased to do is to try and work to get more grants for things like environmentally responsible buses that run on natural gas or other fuels than just regular oil or diesel and that kind of thing.”

In the past few years, Sen. Bayh has supported improving and expanding the Indygo Bus System. In 2004, he helped Congress approve $11.25 million for Indianapolis public transportation.

We believe Indianapolis needs to invest more in public transportation. If there were more buses running, maybe more people would prefer them to driving and sitting in traffic. It also could be cost-effective for them – the current one-way adult fare is $1.75, and is 85 cents for students. That is less than we spend on a double-cheese burger from McDonalds.

If the public transportation in Indianapolis was better, we could go to the movies at Castleton Square, go-kart on the Southside, or study at the library. (We put the last part in to please our parents.)

Copyright 2008 Y-Press