As the shutdown hits wallets, some Nashvillians push for a freeze on bus fares

Amid the ongoing government shutdown — and the partial loss of food aid benefits — some residents are calling for a complete freeze to bus fares.

Dozens of local organizations — including Open Table Nashville, Walk Bike Nashville, and the Nashville branch of the NAACP — plus ten members of Nashville’s Metro Council signed onto a request for the fare freeze. Earlier this week, the Metro Council also passed a resolution calling on WeGo to suspend fares until the next Metropolitan Transportation Authority meeting, or when Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits continue, whichever comes first.

“That’s $4 back that they could spend on a meal that day,” local organizer Manaen Hall said. “I know that the mayor’s office and WeGo and [Choose How You Move], they care about Nashvillians — but they’re stuck in an outdated mindset of ‘feast or famine.’ This is an opportunity where we have the funds. We can feast right now and feasting means allowing more Nashvillians to be able to eat.”

The mayor’s office has indicated that they will not be going forward with a complete freeze.

“My hope is that the federal government takes action quickly and that the crisis ends quickly,” Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell told reporters Wednesday. “We have responded with a whole-of-government approach and a next-to-government approach with Second Harvest Food Bank being a key outside-of-government sponsor … There is not going to be enough across the board in any community across America, and we’re doing everything we can to ease the pain of the federal government shutdown crisis.”

Instead of freezing bus fares, Nashville is moving forward with free bus fares for qualifying residents.

During a celebration of the one-year anniversary since the city’s transit referendum was successfully approved by voters, Metro announced the official launch of the Journey Pass program.

However, the city had already started to rollout the free fare program earlier this fall.

“We’ve already enrolled more than 2,500 people into the Journey Pass program who have already taken more than 14,000 rides,” Choose How You Move program director Sabrina Sussman said. “That’s a really big deal for people on a limited budget who are going from paying $4 for a round-trip ride to riding fare-free.”

The program is available to Nashvillians who receive social services — like SNAP, or Section 8 vouchers, or receive assistance from partner organizations. But, because it is in the early stages, not everyone who is eligible has signed up.

In reaction to the call for frozen fares, WeGo expanded free fare enrollment opportunities to SNAP recipients. Hundreds gathered Thursday morning at Metro Action Commission to enroll. That includes Antoinette Hatton, who waited in line with her two young daughters. Hatton said that the free fare would make her life “so much easier,” especially amidst the government shutdown.

“Bus fare is like $60 a month for me alone,” Hatton said. “That’s not including the kids. One way is like two dollars. You have to go to the grocery store and back and school and back to pick them up from school. I have to get off from work … It means a lot right now, to even be able to have the opportunity to get [the Journey Pass].”

Others, like Goodie, said it had been difficult to pay fares without SNAP benefits. He has been using his disability payments to afford food.

“I definitely need a pass,” Goodie said. “Without the food stamps, how am I gonna get the bus pass too? It’s messed up. I just need help. That’s the reason I’m here, to get help.”

But accessing the program wasn’t easy. Lines were long at MAC, and WeGo ended up turning some people away. 

WeGo has since made one-day bus passes available to residents needing help to get to the signup sessions. Residents can contact Metro Action Commission, Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency, or the Office of Homeless Services to access a one-day pass.

Signup sessions for Journey Pass include:

• Nov. 6 at Metro Action Commission from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• Nov. 6 at Duff Transit Center from 3 – 7 p.m.
• Nov. 7 at Duff Transit Center from 7 a.m. – 1 p.m. and 3 – 7 p.m.
• Nov. 8 at Duff Transit Center from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Nov. 9 at Duff Transit Center from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Enrollees must present a valid photo ID, as well as proof of eligibility from the Tennessee Department of Human Services. This can include:

• an eligibility notice of decision;
• a verification or certification letter from DHS; or
• access to the One DHS SNAP Benefits portal on a smartphone.

Update: This story was updated at 5:10 p.m. Thursday with details about the large sign-up event at the Metro Action Commission.