Nashville Business Journal
Scott Harrison
Unless CSX suddenly changes its mind and allows passenger trips on its rail lines, Middle Tennessee is left grappling with the question: How do we get commuters to and from outlying counties?
In July, we took an in-depth look at the increase traffic volume on Nashville’s interstate system. The 10-year surge is most pronounced along I-65 and I-24 south of Nashville. Traffic has been an issue that’s taken center stage during this mayoral election, and the next mayor will be tasked with tackling the city’s rising traffic woes.
As frustrating as rush-hour delays are for commuters, the problem poses challenges for Nashville’s continued ability to recruit new businesses and talent to the area. It also has an immediate impact on the region’s economy. A newly released report from Texas A&M’s Transportation Institute found congestion has cost Nashville more than $1 billion in each of the past three years.
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Allowing buses to use existing HOV lanes is a no-brainer. The problem is how people get to where they need to go at either end of the bus line. The Amp was (falsely) billed as a solution to this issue when it (1) served a corridor where (too infrequent) bus service was already in place, and (2) did nothing to resolve the “all routes lead to downtown” hub and spoke problem Nashville’s current bus system presents. A couple more hubs near the interstate and shuttles might help, but any of those solutions has the problem of adding hours to already long workdays.
nMotion’s program appears to be aimed at selling BRT as a solution. You’d be better served to look at it as part of a solution within the context of an overall plan that does more to increase connectivity within the city in ways that won’t require two or three hours to reach a destination that would take a half-hour to an hour to reach by car.
Buses will not solve the problem. We will spend millions of dollars on a mode of transportation that doesn’t help.
Buses are forced to deal with traffic too, unless they have a dedicated lane. You can’t take a lane away from traffic for bus service. Traffic will only get worse!
We already have HOV lanes that are not utilized properly.
Please understand that the money spent on all of these proposed bus improvements is money that we should put towards a rail system.
Nashville NEEDS a rail system with substantial, covered stations throughout the city and outlying areas.
We need to start building this system NOW! We are already way behind. The longer we wait the harder it is going to be to catch up, and it is never going to get cheaper!!!! NO MORE WASTING MONEY ON POINTLESS STUDIES! BUILD A TRAIN SYSTEM!
This is why we need to keep fighting CSX until they get tired of saying “no” to commuter rail in the Nashville Metropolitan Area. The worst possible thing we can do in this situation is give up and let CSX win the battle.
I agree!!! We need rail service. Can someone explain why CSX won’t allow usage of the rail lines? Who has gone up against them and what can be done to continue pursuit?
I’m driving 2 hours per day during my commute and traffic is getting worse. I try to make good use of my time by returning calls (safely with earphones) and listening to webinars, but the traffic is still so stressful.
We need a rail system that connects the outlying counties. For instance, I drive from Wilson to Williamson. When I travel to Chicago, I utilize the rail system there. It’s easy to use, convenient and affordable. Why can’t we build one like that???