YLNI Expresses Strong Support for Citilink

City Council Members,

On behalf of Young Leaders of Northeast Indiana (YLNI), I am writing to express our strong support for Citilink, Fort Wayne’s public transportation system, as it faces a pivotal moment. As an organization committed to attracting, developing, and retaining emerging leaders through community, professional, and social engagement, we recognize the critical role that accessible public transit plays in achieving our vision. Citilink is essential to keeping our region connected, fostering inclusivity, and supporting the engagement of diverse leaders.

Citilink’s proposed budget, which includes a tax levy increase of no more than $12 per year—just $1 a month for property owners—will ensure that these vital services continue. While we understand that any increase could present challenges, this small contribution will help sustain a transit system that allows residents to access jobs, healthcare, education, and other critical services. For emerging leaders, reliable public transportation is also a key factor in being able to access the events and programs that YLNI offers.

Without this increase, Citilink could be forced to reduce its service by 14%, potentially eliminating 300,000 trips annually, 20 jobs, and negatively impacting the local economy by over $12 million. These cuts would affect not just transit riders but also the broader community, including employers, healthcare providers, and educational institutions that rely on a connected workforce.

As YLNI works toward a future where Northeast Indiana is an attractive region influenced by diverse, emerging leaders who are engaged, inclusive, and attached to their community, supporting public transportation is vital. Citilink enables the kind of engagement and mobility that emerging leaders—and the community as a whole—need to thrive.

Key points for your consideration:

• Citilink provides reliable, affordable transportation for residents who have no other means of accessing essential services or employment, helping foster a more inclusive and engaged community.
• The proposed tax levy increase is minimal, amounting to only $1 a month for property owners who have not reached their tax cap, but it is crucial to ensuring that Fort Wayne remains connected and vibrant.
• Service reductions would have wide-reaching consequences, limiting access to jobs, healthcare, education, and more, and would hinder the kind of growth and inclusivity that YLNI envisions for the region.

We urge you to support Citilink’s budget request, ensuring that Fort Wayne continues to be a place where diverse leaders and engaged community members can prosper and where opportunities remain accessible to all.

Thank you for your attention to this crucial issue. We look forward to your support in preserving and strengthening Fort Wayne’s public transportation system.

We support Citilink! 

Full Steam Ahead: A Victory for Citilink and Our Community!