Mayoral Candidates All Talk Transit, But What About Music City Star Expansion?

Nashville’s candidates for mayor talk about an urgent need for mass transit, but until this week, few had weighed in on the Music City Star.
The candidates were asked about expanding service at a forum in Donelson, which has a stop on the commuter rail line that runs to Lebanon.

Attorney Charles Robert Bone says he’s been pleasantly surprised by the train’s performance, even though it still hasn’t met the original projections of 1,500 riders a day.

“When it might have started out as a novelty, it is in fact a transportation solution to a lot of people,” Bone said Tuesday, adding that he’s open to expansion.

Charter school founder Jeremy Kane and businesswoman Linda Rebrovick say the city should start by offering more service on nights and weekends.

Criminal Court Clerk Howard Gentry says the Music City Star shouldn’t be confused with the failed bus rapid transit line.

“AMP didn’t work. But the Music City Star absolutely works,” Gentry said. “To be able to provide it to more communities, farther outside of our city, would be helpful.”

However, real estate investor Bill Freeman says the 8-year-old rail service shouldn’t be the basis for a larger system.

“I don’t think the Music City Star is the solution,” Freeman said. “I’m a supporter of it. I enjoy riding it. But I don’t think it’s the solution for mass transit in Nashville. We’ve got to look at a clean sheet of paper.”

Mass transit is rarely a revenue generator for cities, but former school board chairman David Fox says he would want to see “a compelling business case” before funding any additional service. 

At-large council member Megan Barry did not attend Tuesday’s forum.