BlueIndy electric car-share service to debut Sept. 2

BlueIndy officials announced Thursday that the stalled electric car-share service will open to the public early next month.

Notices for a grand opening event to be held at 11 a.m. Sept. 2 were distributed by the company online, with the promise that more Bluecars would begin appearing around town soon.

The notice also states that by that afternoon, the cars will be available for members’ reservations. The company intends to have 25 charging stations across the city available at launch.

The event will take place at the BlueIndy station at Washington and Illinois streets, in front of the PNC Center. Mayor Greg Ballard and Cedric Bolloré of the Bolloré Group, the company that owns BlueIndy, will make remarks before a ribbon cutting.

“We’re eager to welcome the first wave of BlueIndy sites to Indianapolis,” said Jen Pittman, spokeswoman for Ballard. “This service will complement our city’s growing transit options and soon will connect residents to jobs, amenities and cultural attractions in a convenient, affordable way.”

Officials said a team of BlueIndy employees will be on hand during the proceedings to help people sign up for the service and to pass out BlueIndy memorabilia.

“Your patience and input throughout this entire process has been invaluable,” said a statement from the BlueIndy team. “We look forward to repaying you with a service that meets your highest expectations and elevates Indianapolis to the utmost standard of clean, affordable, efficient transit. We sincerely hope you will join us and hundreds of others in celebrating this proud day for our city.”

The announcement comes just days after the City-County Council moved to postpone the towing of five BlueIndy demonstration vehicles that have been parked for months on Washington Street between Meridian and Pennsylvania streets.

The vote to remove the cars was the latest blow in an ongoing battle between the council and Ballard’s administration over the implementation of the $50 million car-share program.

In recent months, the council has raised concerns over safety, questioned the use of infrastructure funds to support the program and considered requiring BlueIndy to register as a franchise.

BlueIndy plans to put 500 electric vehicles at the 200 kiosk stations across the city, each with five chargers.

Call Star reporter Justin L. Mack at (317) 444-6138. Follow him on Twitter:@justinlmack.