Metro Transit Officials Dismiss ‘Plan B’ Unveiled By Amp Opponents

Metro officials learned this week they will receive federal funding for the Amp. Credit: Alliance of Middle Tennessee

Critics of Mayor Karl Dean’s proposed bus rapid transit line from East Nashville to West End have released the rough outlines of what they call a “plan B.” The Amp’s opponents have maintained that they support mass transit, just not Dean’s $175 million project.

At a forum in Belle Meade, the Stop Amp group proposed something similar to what MTA already has on Gallatin and Murfreesboro roads, informally known as “bus rapid transit lite.” Bus stops are spruced up. Buses come more frequently, and they move faster by getting longer green lights at intersections.

For less than the cost of the Amp, opponents say the city could build a 12-mile BRT lite line on West End as well as a 7-mile route on Charlotte Avenue.

Opponents say their alternative wouldn’t disrupt auto traffic like the Amp, which would take existing roadway to create bus-only lanes.

MTA is laughing off the “plan B” as not serious.

“Sounds like something a few guys wrote on a cocktail napkin,” spokesperson Holly McCall said.