Nashville Business Journal
Scott Harrison
Metro consultants and Metro Transit Authority CEO Steve Bland unveiled a trio of transit scenario alternatives Thursday, ranging from a comprehensive regional plan filled with light rail and streetcars to a less cost-intensive proposal to make “modest improvements” to the city’s existing bus network.
The most ambitious of the three plans, roughly estimated to cost approximately $5.4 billion to build over the next 25 years, suggests a slate of transit investments — varying from the aforementioned light rail (along possible corridors like Charlotte Avenue, Nolensville Pike, Murfreesboro Road and Gallatin Pike) and possible streetcar routes on West End Avenue as well as north into Germantown.
Alongside those possible light rail and streetcar lines, this scenario (pictured with this story) also calls for a commuter rail from Clarksville and express bus service along the increasingly congested I-65 and I-24 interstates running south to Franklin and Murfreesboro, respectively. It would also introduce 11 new crosstown bus routes in Davidson County. The estimated operating costs for such a plan would be more than $310 million annually, or nearly four times MTA and RTA’s current operating costs this fiscal year ($83.2 million). Bland, the head of Nashville’s MTA and Regional Transit Authority of Middle Tennessee, projected the comprehensive system, with all of its bells and whistles, would boost regional ridership five to six times current levels.
The second proposal would focus on a bus-centric expansion of Nashville’s transit network, eschewing light rail in favor of bus rapid-transit and express bus service with dedicated lanes in the four corridors mentioned above. Consultants ball-parked such a middle-ground, bus-focused approach would run upwards of $2.4 billion in capital building costs through 2040.
The third option essentially looks at making MTA’s existing service more robust, by adding more service with greater frequency across the region. Such a move wouldn’t have as great of a shift of drivers to transit than the other two proposals, Bland said. Ultimately, all three proposals call for establishing transit hubs throughout Davidson County to provide connections for the myriad of services.
I depend on MTA for most of my transportation needs. For me the best improvements would be later bus routes, especially on the weekend. More frequent buses on most routes. maybe more small neighborhood circulators. I would like to see a route on Briley parkway. Crosstown routes not going downtown should ease traffic. I hate turning what could be a 10-15 minute trip into a 2 hour ordeal, i.e. going from Murfreesboro Pike to Opryland Hotel.
I travel to other cities and see some things that would be good for Nashville. Atlanta’s rail system is nice goal to have. Also they have plastic cards that are renewable that cuts down on the waste that our system of paper cards cause. Chicago has a few special routes that operate 24 hours. New Orleans has a service where you can call and see how long until your bus arrives (though I did not try it and do not know how well it works out). Denver has a sliding scale on the longer “regional” buses. The honor system maybe works a little better their.
While I may not live long enough to see a true rail system here, I recommend being audacious in planning for it. You should plan going to Manchester, Franklin, Lebanon, Clarksville, and be prepared to go west towards Jackson if the area becomes developed. You should plan on having ample parking at the terminus of the rails to promote their use. Also like Atlanta keep the buses and trains running after major events downtown to cut down on traffic. For example a triple overtime Stanley Cup game on a Sunday night would leave everyone relying on MTA to be stranded downtown trying to find a cab.
Another issue is the quality of our roads. I know MTA is not responsible directly. On the other hand MTA needs to put pressure on those responsible and guide them to where roadwork needs to be done. The buses take a terrible pounding on Murfreesboro Pike , and Gallatin Road. As high traffic roads they also are the introduction to our city and they do not give a good impression.
Finally money. This of course is always going to be a problem. The more riders you have, the more money. If you do not have enough buses and trains, then the rider has a bad experience ( late buses, overcrowded) and is less likely to ride. If you overextend then you are wasting money with empty buses. Hopefully all will work out.