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Distracted drivers damage IndyGo's Red Line buses

Posted at 8:22 PM, Aug 30, 2019
and last updated 2019-08-30 20:40:14-04

INDIANAPOLIS — Two IndyGo Red Line buses are out of service with two days to go before the new rapid transit buses go online. The incidents are behind a call to all Indianapolis drivers to be aware of the significant changes.

Two crashes in a week caused thousands of dollars in damages to buses that cost $1.2 million.

Friday, around 11:25 a.m., a distracted driver t-boned into a Red Line bus on Capitol Avenue and 14th Street headed northbound.

The crash may have caused structural damage to the bus. The exact cost of repairs is still not official.

The driver did report back pain.

And on Monday, a crash also on Capitol Avenue was less severe as it was a fender bender. The cost of the damage is still being worked on.

This also happened while IndyGo drivers were practicing for the start of Sunday's Red Line service.

Drivers are asked to prepare for the many lane changes so that you can avoid being the target of an insurance claim.

"Obviously every incident that happens in the street we are going to do what we can to recoup those costs," Bryan Luelle, IndyGo's vice president of public affairs, said. "That's why you have to have insurance, that's why its the law. Any kind of incident that involves an IndyGo vehicle will be treated like any property claim."

The two buses out of commission will not impact service. There are 24 buses in the fleet right now, and seven more are on the way.

Click here for the complete guide to what you need to know about the Red Line.

Watch RTV6's Special: Inside the Red Line here.