Nashville Business Journal
Scott Harrison

Let’s zero back in on transit in Nashville’s core – particularly the West End Avenue corridor where all this recent discussion started.

In the past several months, the transit conversation has been predominantly regional in nature – following the death of the Amp there were calls from mayoral candidates and business groups to look at a region-wide system.

Last week we told you where transit officials are exploring light-rail options, which would potentially focus on the region’s major commuting arteries (we highlighted the biggest spikes in highway traffic counts during the past decade in a recent cover story).

The critical thing is this: Regardless of how effective commuter rail or light rail from outlying counties is in getting workers and residents into Nashville, the city will need a much improved transit network in the core to move those people about once they get into the core. After all, they would be without a car. Nashville MTA this summer said the transit network within the core islagging considerably behind peer cities. Nashville’s traffic issue is among the most major results of the city’s bustling growth rates. Transit is being explored to give residents alternatives to fighting the morning and afternoon rush hour, while at the same time as way to keep the city competitive for workers and new businesses.

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