Nashville MTA/RTA Releases nMotion Recommendations
30-Day Public Comment Period to Follow
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Aug. 17, 2016) – After more than 16 months of public outreach and community engagement, the project team for the strategic planning process known as nMotion presented recommendations to the Boards of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) today.
After a presentation and discussion on the components of the plan, board members voted to send the recommendations out for public comments so that people have an opportunity to provide feedback prior to approval by the boards at their respective meetings next month.
The 30-day public comment period opened immediately after the meeting and comments will be accepted via the nMotion project website nMotion2016.org as well as at a series of upcoming community meetings listed at nMotion2016.org/events.
Since the nMotion planning process launched in April 2015, MTA/RTA has released more than 35 technical documents and studies, and has carefully considered more than 18,000 survey responses and comments. Based on input from the public and these technical analyses, the recommended plan includes short-term enhancements and a framework for long-term improvements.
When completed, the nMotion plan will result in over 200 miles of pedestrian improvements and a high-capacity transit network with 46 miles of light rail, 98 miles of freeway bus rapid transit, 82 miles of arterial bus rapid transit/rapid bus, and 150 miles of express bus-on-shoulder.
Recommended Improvements
- More frequent bus service and extended service hours
- Better bus stops and community transit centers
- Simpler ways to pay your fare
- Expanded and improved AccessRide services
- Streamlined service through downtown Nashville
- Improved pedestrian connections
- Improvements in regional travel corridors such as bus-on-shoulder services, expanded park-and-ride options, additional express trips, and improvements to the Music City Star
- Exploration of opportunities for future development of rapid transit services in key corridors through expanded cooperation with the Tennessee Department of Transportation and local communities, and public–private partnerships.
- Light rail
- Charlotte
- Nolensville
- Murfreesboro/Airport
- Gallatin
- Bus rapid transit (BRT)
- Full BRT
- Dickerson
- Arterial BRT
- West End
- Hillsboro
- Freeway BRT
- I-24 South/Murfreesboro
- I-65 South/Franklin
- Ellington Parkway/I-65 North/ SR 386 Gallatin
- Full BRT
- Light rail
“The nMotion plan is the first step to building out a transit system the region needs, based on what the market can support and what people say they will use,” said Steve Bland, CEO of MTA/RTA. “We look forward to working with our partners, including Mayor Megan Barry’s office, Metro Council, the Middle Tennessee mayors’ caucus, and the state legislature to advance the plan recommendations once approved by our boards in September. nMotion is a 25-year transit plan, not only for Davidson County, but for the entire Middle Tennessee region.”
Documents Released Today
Final Community Engagement Report
About nMotion
The Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) are hard at work to provide new and better transit options that ensure everyone can get where they need to in a cost-effective and timely manner. To determine how best to expand Nashville’s transit service, we have updated our strategic transit plan, known as nMotion. Visit our website at nMotion2016.org.
I believe this is long overdue. Considering the fact that its going to take up to 25 years to complete is really not an immediate answer to the horrific traffic problem that is continuing to get worse by the day around the Nashville area. However, at least this is a sign of progress in the right direction but again long overdue.
What about transit options for outlying areas like Dickson, Pegram, etc?
The first concern is how will it be paid for? I can’t recall any project of this magnitude finishing on time and doubling and even tripling the budget. I don’t believe a system will ever be self sustaining but another tax burden on the residents.
I fail to see the benefit of a system of this nature except for those working down town. You would have to drive to the pick-up point, ride the transit then catch another form of transit(s) to your destination. I can’t see any advantage of the system to me.
So, what happens to the Bi-Centennial Trail in Ashland City? After all, this trail is the only good thing about the town. Will CSX build on a new site? It’s not a matter of relocating the trail.
First and foremost, the I24 leg Murfreesboro to Nashville has to be first, Two growing Cities, something must be done, close to 300,000 people in Rutherford County, plus a Major Leg for traveling to Atlanta
I’m in favor of it. It would definitely match Nashville’s progression.