Penny Ullery’s eyesight problems prevent her from driving, so she uses Rose View Transit buses as her main transportation source.
“I really enjoy riding the buses, actually,” she said. “When you can’t drive, it gives you some independence.”
The transit system provides tens of thousands of needed rides annually while remaining mostly unchanged since the 1980s. Chris Becker, Richmond’s transit manager, said a study was completed about six years ago, but findings were not implemented. Updates, however, are finally on the way.
Unspent money from the 2025 budget was shifted to pay for a new $40,000 transit study. Dayton, Ohio-based RLS & Associates, an Indiana Department of Transportation-trusted partner, was hired, and Christy Campoll is working with city transit, riders and others.
“She’s done a great job,” Becker said.
Matthew Keller, the city’s director of public operations and engineering, said that in his mind the city has a new transit system moving forward. He’s focusing on a long-term success plan that will provide a new perception, new riders and a new strategy.
Rose View’s local, state and federal funding lends itself to a five-route system. A route proposal has been developed that includes an East Main Street route expanded from a half-hour to an hour. Campoll said the goal is to get the “best bang for the buck” with those five routes.
The proposed routes consider population density, areas with the most zero-vehicle households and destinations for the four main ridership reasons: shopping, healthcare, work and school. Campoll said Rose View transported about 100,000 riders in 2024 and the system has good productivity by averaging nine riders per hour per route.
Campoll said the city has committed to replacing six buses from the aging fleet in 2027.
“The city supports transit more than many peer cities in Indiana,” Campoll said, “so kudos to them.”
The study will provide options and their costs moving forward. Most won’t be implemented immediately, but could be if or when additional funding becomes available.
Rose View will undergo a complete rebrand, including a change from the name harkening back to the city’s rose history. The idea is to improve perception and better promote how residents can use the transit system.
Campoll said proposed changes include an end to picking up passengers away from bus stops to make using the system more clear and to improve punctuality. A smart phone-based ticketing system would complement cash and paper tickets. Success includes maintaining or growing ridership within the existing budget.
Campoll sought feedback from individuals and groups, speaking wherever possible, and an online survey is available at surveymonkey.com/r/RichmondTransit.
“It’s been going really well,” said Campoll, noting that it’s helpful to hear their perspectives.
The latest round of conversations included public input sessions May 27 at Morrisson-Reeves Library and May 28 in the bus depot at Richmond’s downtown parking garage. About 15 people attended the May 27 presentation, and during three hours at the depot, a steady stream of riders and others engaged with Campoll, Becker and Keller.
At the depot, Rebecca Robinson, who uses a bus pass to ride almost every day, said the buses run smoothly.
“I think they should leave it alone,” Robinson said. “They shouldn’t change anything. It’s fine the way it is.”
She doesn’t like the proposed East Main Street route increase from a half-hour to an hour, wondering if the extra time or full buses will cause problems for grocery shoppers. She is glad that riders are being consulted about their opinions.
“The input is good, so people can tell what they think,” Robinson said. “Hopefully, they’ll take it into consideration.”
Ullery, who also rides most days, agrees that the East Main route would be too long and she wants the return of Saturday service and for service to last later into the day. She is happy the bus system is being updated and hopes it changes the perception residents have about the bus system.
“We need to update things,” she said.
Information about transit options, Rose View routes and bus passes is available at www.richmondindiana.gov/resources/public-transportation.
A version of this article appeared in the June 3 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.