Progress, development marked region economy in 2012, despite challenges

Gary airport soars again

December 30, 2012 12:00 am

Election winners will face tough choices on major issues

The Dan Rabin Transit Plaza in Hammond closed June 30, when Hammond's easygo bus service ended, leaving regular public transit commuters stranded.

RDA throws out $100,000 lifeline for paratransit

The Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority on Tuesday voted to appropriate $100,000 to keep paratransit services running for people with disabilities in the former easygo Lake Transit territory.

Region's bus experiment breaks down

Commuters board a Pace bus that pulled up behind one of Hammond's easygo buses Saturday at the Dan Rabin Transit Plaza. Hammond's easygo bus service ended Saturday leaving regular commuters who used the buses without bus service.

Region's bus experiment breaks down

Ferna Tyler, of Hammond, rides an easygo bus Saturday for the final day. The easygo service ended after Saturday leaving regular public transit commuters like Tyler without a ride.

Region's bus experiment breaks down

Bus driver Donna Anderson waits while easygo Blue Line riders board Saturday at the Dan Rabin Transit Plaza.

Region's bus experiment breaks down

Bus driver Donna Anderson, of East Chicago, checks on riders Saturday morning in the rearview mirror of her easygo bus. The easygo service ended after Saturday "This effects everybody," Anderson said. She had driven the bus for two years.

Region's bus experiment breaks down

Easygo bus driver Dedra Watkins waits for riders to board Saturday at the Dan Rabin Transit Plaza. Hammond's easygo bus service that ran routes to five different cities in Lake County and one into Chicago ended Saturday.

Transportation: Public transit ailing in Northwest Indiana

Riders take their last trip on the easygo Lake Transit bus system on June 30. The shutdown of the service has damaged hopes for a regional mass transit system in Northwest Indiana.

Transportation: Public transit ailing in Northwest Indiana

Buses line up for the last runs of easygo Lake Transit on June 30 at the Dan Rabin Transit Plaza in Hammond. The closing of the bus service has damaged hopes for a regional mass transit system in Northwest Indiana.

RBA easygo Chicago express buses won't operate Monday

DYER | The Regional Bus Authority's easygo Chicago express morning and afternoon buses running between the Dyer Park and Ride and Chicago's Loop will be not available Monday because of the NATO summit.

Permanent local funding source for RBA buses still elusive

HAMMOND | The second public hearing to gather comments on the looming shutdown of the Regional Bus Authority's easygo bus services drew impassioned pleas Thursday for continued service, but little good news.

Take a day trip to Chicago via easygo bus service

PORTAGE | Park free at the Dyer & Ride lot, 213th Street and Calumet Avenue, and board an easygo Chicago express bus to downtown Chicago on weekdays.

Local bus agencies boosting service in new year

The first of several Northwest Indiana bus service expansions fueled by new federal grants will kick off Jan. 4 when easygo Lake Transit restores every-half-hour service during peak travel times on its Red and Green routes.