Nashville’s public transit agency, WeGo, is proposing a host of changes for spring 2024. Across the city, eight bus lines will see updates to their routes and frequency.
That’s tied, in large part, to the anticipated opening of a new transit center in North Nashville.
The $17 million center will be the largest of its kind in the city and intends to offer riders a place to connect to transit outside of downtown.
Courtesy WeGo Public TransitA rendering of the Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center. The $17 million center is expected to open this spring.
So far, WeGo has held two of four public feedback meetings about the proposed changes. Riders are already indicating that they could have a real impact.
One attendee, who only used his first name, Nate, explained that a frequency adjustment to the 77 Thompson-Wedgewood line would “make a big difference.”
“I walk over 30 minutes because the 77 runs so infrequently right now,” he said. “And to have it go every 30 minutes will be wonderful, especially in winter.”
Another rider, John Bull, noted his appreciation, though he said he hopes to see continued progress.
“I really like the enhancement. I wish it could run even later,” Bull said. “But one unicorn at a time, I guess.”
The riders were among twelve attendees at the latest meeting, which was the only one to be offered virtually.
Eric Melcher, a WeGo spokesperson, said that the first meeting, held at McGruder Family Resource Center, had five riders attend. However, Melcher said that there are other ways to submit feedback — like via email. Melcher also noted that while WeGo’s decisions take public comments into account, they make decisions primarily based on data.
“All of our decisions are driven by data,” Melcher said. “We take a look at who’s boarding where and if there’s very few people boarding in an area, and if the bus is going a long way out its way to get to that stretch, we have to ask ourselves: Are we going to be better served increasing frequency and maybe changing the route?”
The new transit center is also bringing new routes. A crosstown route — the 71 Trinity — will operate along Trinity Lane, connecting East Nashville riders with the transit center. WeGo Link, the program that subsidize rideshares for passengers needing a ride from their bus stop to their door, plans to expand service to Bordeaux and Haynes Park.
The next public feedback meeting will be held at McGruder Family Resource Center on Dec. 5 at 5:30 p.m. The final meeting is scheduled for Dec. 7 at Trinity Community Commons.
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