In 1998, an assessment was completed in Allen County, Indiana exploring the transportation gaps. The results were given to a group of nonprofit leaders who were tasked with changing the status quo. The result was Community Transportation Network.

Twenty-five years later, CTN’s Board of Directors commissioned a similar assessment, but on a much larger scale. This report is the culmination of more than a year of study and evaluation of the eleven-county region we call northeast Indiana. It includes breakout data for each of the eleven counties and nine recommendations presented by RLS & Associates, the consultants hired to evaluate our region.

To be completely honest, for those of us working in transportation, the data isn’t a surprise. We know the need for affordable and reliable transportation is critical. We know the need for inter-county transit continues to grow. And we know that transportation is one of the greatest barriers to healthy independent living for thousands of seniors and people with disabilities. But now you know as well.

The data presented, in many ways, mirrors national reports. But our response should be better.

For the most part, the recommendations presented by RLS & Associates are not targeted at any one community, county, or transportation provider. For more than twenty years, our region has worked together on economic development deals and advocacy efforts at the Indiana State House. This report indicates the transportation community is ripe for collaboration as well.

CTN is not a public transportation provider, we fill in the gaps when public transportation is overextended or unavailable. It is not our intention to replace or preclude any other provider from doing what they do best. It is our goal, however, to convene parties across the region to continue the discussion started in 2023 and ask the question “what’s next?”

We’ve been incredibly grateful for the work of our partners and the support of our funders. This could not have been accomplished without them. And it will take all of us to solve these challenges.

Needs Assessment Executive Summary

Needs Assessment Full Report

Adams County Data Report    Allen County Data Report    Dekalb County Data Report    Huntington County Data Report

Kosciusko County Data Report    LaGrange County Data Report    Noble County Data Report    Steuben County Data Report

Wabash County Data Report    Wells County Data Report    Whitley County Data Report