FRENCH LICK, Ind. (October 27, 2025) – Accelerate Indiana Municipalities (Aim) has announced that the City of Terre Haute is the recipient of a 2025 Aim Program Innovation Award for its Fare-Free Transit Initiative. The city was recognized during the Annual Awards Luncheon, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors, on Wednesday, October 22, at the 2025 Aim Ideas Summit in French Lick. Terre Haute earned the award in the greater than 58,000 population category.
In January 2025, Terre Haute launched a Fare-Free Transit Program, eliminating all fares on fixed-route and ADA paratransit services. Funded through gaming revenue without raising taxes, the initiative was designed to increase ridership, improve access, and boost efficiency while advancing equity.
Prior to this change, residents, particularly lower-income families, seniors, students, and people with disabilities, cited transportation costs as a barrier to usage. At the same time, the city’s aging fare collection infrastructure was costly to maintain, and fare revenue accounted for only a small percentage of the system’s operating budget. By removing fares, the city reimagined transit as a shared public utility.
The results were immediate. In the first four months, ridership increased by more than 85%, with over 77,000 boardings recorded. Riders now use the system to access jobs, healthcare, groceries, education, and community events with greater ease and dignity.
“Quality communities care about and invest in all their citizens,” noted Aim CEO Matt Greller. “Terre Haute’s program to enhance the mobility of their most vulnerable residents, senior citizens, and students through the use of data embodies the spirit behind Aim’s Program Innovation award. The city’s acknowledgement of what a lack of affordable transportation can mean for a person’s independence, health, employment, and more, is a demonstration of leadership and I am honored to see them receive accolades for their work.”
The Program Innovation Award honors municipalities that have successfully developed and implemented creative new approaches to delivering services or conducting municipal operations. Awards are presented in multiple population categories based on nominations received.
In its 49th year, the Aim Annual Awards program, presented by Baker Tilly Municipal Advisors LLC, recognizes communities and individuals in municipal government for excellence and outstanding achievement. A seven-member panel of qualified judges selected this year’s winners from a competitive field of nominees from around the state.
Conference Facts:
2025 Aim Ideas Summit
October 21-23, 2025
French Lick Springs Resort | French Lick, Indiana
Attendance: 1,100 (pending final registration count)
Further information: www.aimindiana.org
Since the 1890s, Aim, formerly the Indiana Association of Cities and Towns, has been an advocate for Indiana municipalities. Aim is the official voice of municipal government in Indiana, with more than 460 cities and towns as members. Our purpose is to foster, promote and advocate for the success of Hoosier municipalities as laboratories of innovation, hubs of talent and the engines driving our state’s economy.