Free bus fares are coming to Nashville low-income residents

Nashville is rolling out a free bus fare program for qualifying residents.

The program, an initiative between WeGo and the mayor’s office, called “Journey Pass,” is the latest update to be funded by the city’s new transit tax.

That tax, a half-cent sales tax increase that directly funds transit, was passed by Davidson County voters last November. Journey Pass is just one element of the $3.1 billion, 15-year “Choose How You Move” program that looks to provide massive upgrades to Nashville’s transit system.

Not everyone will qualify for the free fares. Metro is currently working on establishing an income limit, and is also registering residents who receive benefits from various Metro departments and select nonprofits.

The program is only available for Davidson County residents, and will exist on WeGo’s quick ticket system (meaning that residents won’t need a smartphone to access it). The free fares will apply to regular WeGo bus trips, as well as WeGo Star commuter train trips, Regional Transportation Authority trips to nearby counties, WeGo Link rideshare trips in designated areas, and WeGo Access rides for users with disabilities.

Kendra Abkowitz, the acting program director for the Choose How You Move initaitive, said that the city is focused on enrollment.

“The goal really of this is to be able to provide free transit services for qualifying Davidson County residents that need it most,” Abkowitz said at a virtual public meeting earlier this month. “Popup events have been incredibly successful. We’re also hearing that word of mouth is becoming an incredibly popular way to spread information about the program.”

Journey Pass is part of various winter service changes that WeGo will implement in the new year, though the city says Journey Pass users will be able to access free fares in the “late fall.”