Nashville’s transit referendum passes with two-thirds approval

Nashville’s transit referendum was approved with significant support from voters. Nearly 66% voted in favor.

The referendum is the city’s second attempt at establishing a dedicated source of funding for its transit system. It will increase Nashville’s sales tax by a half-cent to fund $3.1 billion in transportation upgrades — including bus rapid transit routes, 86 miles of new sidewalks, a dozen new transit centers and more.   

The last attempt, a 2018 proposal featuring light rail and a downtown tunnel, failed in a resounding defeat, with more than 60% of Nashvillians voting ‘no.’ 

Now, under the leadership of Mayor Freddie O’Connell, Nashville has green lit a smaller-scale plan, with no light rail and only one tax hike (as opposed to four targeted in 2018).

“We have hundreds of thousands of Nashvillians who did this together,” O’Connell says. “Across this city now, for the next generation, we will all enjoy the things we deserve: sidewalks, signals, safety and service.” pic.twitter.com/u3tUVVCFnb

— Cynthia Abrams (@cindy_abrams) November 6, 2024

Nashville has been one of only four major U.S. cities lacking dedicated transit funding.  

Those voting in favor of the plan cited Nashville’s need for a more robust transit system. Zahlia Evelette cast her “for” vote early at the Bordeaux Library.

“This is a large city. I am blessed to be able to have access to a vehicle, but not everybody is,” Evelette said. “So, the buses and the trams and the bicycles and the sidewalks and getting from point A to point B is essential.”  

But, some Nashvillians — like Crystal Miller, an Antioch resident who voted against the measure — pointed to the added burden of a sales tax increase.   

“It’s expensive to live here,” Miller said. “And I think just financially, it’s something that we couldn’t do right now.”