New transit option offers convenient transportation to the Indiana State Fair, Aug. 7–23
INDIANAPOLIS — IndyGo, in partnership with the City of Lawrence and Ivy Tech Community College, is excited to announce the first-ever Purple Line Park & Ride service to the Indiana State Fair. The new transit option provides attendees with convenient, affordable transportation throughout the event from Aug. 7–23.
Attendees can park for free at the parking lot next to IndyGo’s Purple Line Fort Harrison Station, located on Wheeler Rd., south of Ivy Tech’s Lawrence campus at 9301 E. 59th St.
The Purple Line will take riders directly to the main gates of the Indiana State Fair, helping reduce traffic congestion and parking challenges while offering a stress-free travel experience. A bus arrives approximately every 15 minutes and the trip to the state fairgrounds takes about a half hour. The bus costs only $2.75 per ride.
“IndyGo is grateful for our partnership with Ivy Tech to bring our very first Purple Line Park & Ride service to the community,” said IndyGo President and CEO Jennifer Pyrz. “This collaboration allows more people to enjoy the Indiana State Fair while experiencing the convenience and accessibility of public transit.”
“We are extremely pleased to partner with IndyGo and Ivy Tech to make visiting the Indiana State Fair safer and more convenient for more residents,” said City of Lawrence Mayor Deborah Whitfield. “IndyGo’s Purple Line is a great asset to our community and to see it utilized in this way is very exciting!”
Mayor Whitfield noted that the Lawrence Police Department will increase patrols at and around the Ivy Tech parking lot.
The Purple Line’s operating hours offer flexible travel options for fairgoers throughout the day and evening. Hours for each day are:
- Monday – Friday | 5 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Saturday | 6 a.m. – 1 a.m.
- Sunday | 7 a.m. – 10 p.m.
Please note that both the Indiana State Fair and the Purple Line close at 10 p.m. Sundays. Park & Ride riders leaving the fair should plan to arrive at the State Fairgrounds Station before the Purple Line’s final departure at 9:45 p.m.
To help new riders feel confident using the Purple Line, IndyGo will offer free travel training sessions from 3 to 8 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7, and from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 8, at the State Fairgrounds Station.
Riders should note that all passengers must use their physical MyKey+ card or choose one of the following options below for payment:
1. Pay using the app: Download the MyKey+ mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play to create an account and add funds to your account.
- This option works best for families with children or groups with one person paying for everyone. Tickets can quickly and easily be purchased and scanned for each family/group member on the app. When scanning each ticket, a QR code will pop up. When you board the bus, be sure to scan your QR code on one of the validators, located at the entry near each door. Simply hold the QR code in front of the white screen on the bus validator.
2. Pay using cash: Bring exact change for rides to and from the Indiana State Fair. Bus operators do not have change. A one-way bus ticket costs $2.75/ride per rider over the age of five. You can enter the bus from any door, but make sure to walk to the front to put your money in the farebox.
Debit and credit cards are not accepted on the bus.
For additional information about routes, schedules, fares and to plan your trip, visit https://www.indygo.net/how-to-ride/.
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