Can Nashville ever overhaul its transit system? Here’s what the candidates for mayor think.

Five years after a plan to revamp Nashville’s transportation network was defeated, the candidates in this year’s mayoral election are rethinking what public transit looks like in the city as it struggles to support its explosive growth.

In 2018, Nashville failed to pass the “Let’s Move Nashville” transit referendum. Introduced under Mayor Megan Barry’s administration, the initiative would have dedicated $8.9 billion dollars to the construction of several light rail and rapid transit bus lines.

At a forum Wednesday night at Trevecca Nazarene University, candidates were largely on the same page about the need for affordable housing and an improved transit system.

Some were quick to pledge funds when asked if they would commit to securing dedicated funding for transit. This included both of the Metro councilmembers in the race, Freddie O’Connell and Sharon Hurt.

“This is our biggest missing ingredient for success as a city,” O’Connell said. “You can count on me to both lead the effort and get it done in my first term.”

Other candidates, like Davidson County property assessor Vivian Wilhoite also gave definitive “yes” answers. But some, like former Alliance Bernstein executive Jim Gingrich and state Sen. Jeff Yarbro, were hesitant to fully commit, at least for their first term.

“I believe the next referendum this city has for dedicated funding for transit has to succeed,” Yarbro said. “I’m not going to pre-commit to rushing it. But I will commit to beginning that work.”

Cynthia Abrams WPLN News

Mayoral candidates in Nashville’s 2023 election attend a forum at Trevecca Nazarene University. From left to right: Jim Gingrich, state Sen. Heidi Campbell, state Sen. Jeff Yarbro and Councilmember Sharon Hurt.

“Promoting Public Priorities and Participation” was hosted by the Civic Design Center, Neighbor 2 Neighbor, Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee, Urban Housing Solutions and Walk Bike Nashville. Organizers say that, without an incumbent on the ballot, this year’s election offers a chance to “think deeply” about the city’s values.

More: Watch a video of the forum

A new transit plan would mean creating or redirecting a tax stream specifically for transit. Right now, Nashville remains the only city of its size without a dedicated funding source.

When the 2018 referendum failed, political observers estimated that it could take at least four years for Metro to bring forward another comparable proposal. A new transit plan would be subject to another referendum, leaving the ultimate decision with the city’s voters. This election just about hits that timeline, and many candidates are promising Nashvillians that they can be the ones to get it done.