IndyGo chief cites rideshare safety in bus pitch

IndyGo CEO Jennifer Pyrz stated that women sometimes face safety concerns when entering private rideshare vehicles. She made the comment while comparing the cost of public transit to private transportation options. The remarks were part of an interview intended to promote the city’s bus system.

Pyz highlighted the $2.75 fare for IndyGo buses as a financial advantage. She argued that the system provides professional drivers who know the city streets. This contrast was used to position public transit as a safer alternative for solo riders. The comments came during a recent interview that has since circulated online.

IndyCity-County Council candidate Tyler Mitchell shared the interview clip. The exchange drew immediate attention from local media and transportation advocates. The focus shifted to how Pyz characterized the experience of riding in an Uber or Lyft. Her words framed the decision to take a private car as one driven by personal risk assessment.

Tony Katz, a local broadcaster, criticized the CEO’s statements. He described the remarks as a bold and disgusting take on the rideshare industry. Katz argued that the comments disparaged hardworking gig workers who earn a living on Indianapolis roads. He suggested the pitch was a desperate marketing tactic for a government-subsidized system.

Katz questioned the logic of using fear of private drivers to sell bus rides. He called the bus a 20th-century solution to a 21st-century problem. He noted that Uber and Lyft allow users to travel between specific points of their choosing. This differs from fixed government routes, he said, which may not align with individual needs.

The criticism also targeted the broader IndyGo strategy for rapid bus corridors. Katz referred to the Red, Purple, and Blue lines as part of an ideological campaign. He believed the push aimed to reduce the number of private vehicles on the road. He described the agency’s approach as forcing drivers out of their cars rather than offering practical commuter value.

Katz invited Pyz to appear on his show to explain her position. He stated he had five microphones and no waiting for her. He also mused that the rideshare companies might have a case for the level of disparagement. He concluded that targeting everyday workers was ugly for a bureaucrat funded by the government.