WeGo Public Transit

Last updated

WeGo Public Transit
Logo WeGo Public Transit.svg
WeGo 1916, Gillig Low Floor at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville.jpg
A WeGo Gillig Low Floor at the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center in Nashville
Founded1973
Headquarters430 Myatt Drive
Service area Nashville-Davidson County
Service type
Routes54
HubsMusic City Central
Fleet235-238 (bus), 120-125 (AccessRide)
Daily ridership26,100 (weekdays, Q1 2025) [1]
Annual ridership8,163,200 (2024) [2]
Fuel type
  • Diesel
  • Diesel-electric
  • Electric
OperatorDavidson Transit Organization
Chief executiveStephen G. Bland
Website wegotransit.com

WeGo Public Transit is a public transportation agency based in Nashville, Tennessee. Consisting of city buses and paratransit, the system serves Nashville and Davidson County. In 2024, the system had a ridership of 8,163,200, or about 26,100 per weekday as of the first quarter of 2025. For 2023, WeGo expected to collect $5.2 million in fare revenue and spend $99.3 million in operation. To make up most of the difference, WeGo expected to collect subsidies from the city, state, and national governments. [3]

Contents

WeGo partnered with the Metro Arts Commission, which commissioned six artist-designed transit shelters are placed along the new 28th/31st Avenue Bridge. [4] [5]

History

The first public transportation in Nashville began in 1860 when the McGavock and Mt. Vernon Horse Railroad Company and the South Nashville Street Railroad Company were joined to create a public transportation system using steam and mules to power rail cars. The first electric streetcar in Nashville came in 1889. [6] Over the years, several different companies offered transit in Nashville. The first buses came in 1926, as a complement to the preceding rail lines. [6] In 1930, Tennessee Electric Power Company took over the transit system and phased out streetcars by February 1941. [7] In 1953, the company was reorganized and changed its name to Nashville Transit Company. The next 20 years saw the decline of public transportation in Nashville and the rise of the automobile. [8] This led to higher fares and service cutbacks for the transit system. In order to keep public transportation in the city viable, Metro-Nashville government purchased the Nashville Transit Company and created the Metropolitan Transit Authority in 1973. [9]

Due to a major flood in May 2010, the MTA suffered losses to their fleet and their maintenance/administration offices. The total losses amounted to 39 buses and 39 paratransit vans, [10] various other support vehicles and severe damage caused to both the maintenance/administration offices and to the Riverfront Music City Star (now known as the WeGo Star) train station. [11] Service was interrupted for four days, with limited service being restored afterwards for the next four weeks.[ citation needed ] By early June 2010, the MTA had obtained loaner buses and other vehicles from surrounding transit agencies, including Memphis, Cincinnati, Clarksville and others. Regular transit service was restored shortly thereafter. [12]

On July 12, 2018, the MTA announced that it was re-branding itself as WeGo Public Transit to reflect the changing landscape of public transit in the region and to also coincide with various recommendations from the 2016 nMotion plan. Despite the failure of the 2018 transit referendum, plans to re-brand the agency were already in place prior to the referendum being held, and the decision to re-brand was made independently of the referendum effort and its outcome. [13] [14]

Former BRT Lite projects

After years of study, the MTA secured taxpayer funding to purchase the vehicles necessary for a bus rapid transit (BRT) light line. On September 27, 2009, the MTA implemented the first phase of its new BRT service on the Gallatin Road corridor, designated as route 56 Gallatin Road BRT Lite. Covering 12 miles (19 km), this BRT service operates from Music City Central to the edge of Sumner County just north of RiverGate Mall. Passengers experience fewer stops and more frequent buses as they travel along one of Nashville's busiest corridors on all new 60-foot (18 m), articulated, fuel-efficient hybrid buses. BRT buses stop at designated stops that are marked with a green "BRT stop" sign. During the second phase of BRT in spring 2010, more customer amenities were added. Gallatin Road intersections have Green Light Extenders that allow the traffic signals to stay green longer as a bus approaches. In addition, each station stop features new enhanced passenger waiting areas.

A second high use corridor was identified for implementation and funding goes along Murfreesboro Pike. The 55 Murfreesboro Pike BRT Lite, which began service on Monday, April 1, 2013, [15] comes three years after the 56 Gallatin Road BRT Lite, a 12-mile stretch from downtown's Music City Central to RiverGate Mall, began service. The Murfreesboro Pike BRT Lite stretches from downtown to the Antioch area near the Global Mall at the Crossings, formerly Hickory Hollow Mall. [16] [17]

Originally, Mayor Karl Dean had hoped to start running "lite" bus rapid transit service on Charlotte and Nolensville pikes in 2014, [18] but plans for the Charlotte BRT Lite were discussed at several public meetings in late January and early February 2015. [19] On March 2, 2015, it was announced that Charlotte Pike will be the third major corridor in Nashville to have BRT Lite service, joining Gallatin Pike and Murfreesboro Pike. 50 Charlotte Pike BRT, which began service on Monday, March 30, 2015, offers limited stops traveling between Music City Central in downtown to the Charlotte Walmart located off River Road. [20]

In March 2015, preliminary plans began for a BRT Lite route to be on Nolensville Pike to begin in the fall of 2015. [21] Route 52 Nolensville Pike BRT lite, which began service on Sunday, March 27, 2016, operates on Nolensville Pike and offers more frequent service, but with fewer stops. All buses serve Nolensville Pike between Downtown and Harding Place with branches to Hickory Plaza (Route 52A) and Wallace/Ezell (Route 52B). [22] While the other previous BRT Lite corridors (Gallatin Pike, Murfreesboro Pike, and Charlotte Pike) all feature both a local service to supplement their perspective BRT lite lines, the Nolensville Pike corridor only features the 52 Nolensville Pike BRT Lite (which replaces the 12 Nolensville Road route). [23]

Bus service

WeGo's bus system serves all of Nashville and Davidson County. While no bus service is directly provided to the autonomous Davidson County incorporated community of Forest Hills, some service is provided, though, to Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Goodlettsville and Oak Hill. [24]

Service to the autonomous Davidson County incorporated community of Lakewood began on Monday, April 30, 2012. [25] Route 27 Old Hickory once provided weekday service in Old Hickory via Lakewood. Buses traveled to and from downtown Nashville and Madison. Park-n-rides once existed at the former City Hall in Lakewood and the WeGo Administrative Offices on Myatt Drive in Madison. [26]

Frequent Bus Lines (some previously advertised as BRT Lite)

Current service

WeGo, as of November 2023, offers 8 frequent bus lines. The service operates every 15 minutes or less on major corridors throughout Davidson County. [27]

  • 3 West End
  • 7 Hillsboro
  • 22 Bordeaux
  • 23 Dickerson Pike
  • 50 Charlotte Pike
  • 52 Nolensville Pike
  • 55 Murfreesboro Pike
  • 56 Gallatin Pike

AccessRide

WeGo offers a paratransit service operating specialized van services for people with disabilities unable to use regular bus routes. AccessRide provides door-to-door paratransit service in Davidson County within 1.5 miles (2.4 km) from a regular bus route. This service also provides elderly people with a way to get to doctors' appointments and pick up medication. The fare price for this service is $3.70 per ride. This is an application based service, these can be downloaded from the WeGo Website and must be returned to the Central location downtown.

Music City Central / WeGo Central (Elizabeth Duff Transit Center)

WeGo bus next to mural honoring Elizabeth Duff, on the lower level of the eponymous transit center. WeGo Gillig Low Floor at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville.jpg
WeGo bus next to mural honoring Elizabeth Duff, on the lower level of the eponymous transit center.

In May 2007, the MTA began construction of Music City Central for $54 million, [28] a downtown bus transfer station and hub next to the Nashville Municipal Auditorium. It replaced the outdoor Downtown Transit Mall on Deaderick Street. [29] The facility opened to the public on Oct. 26, 2008. Many major lines operate as spokes meeting at this hub. [30]

The transfer hub was renamed to WeGo Central along with the rebranding of the service in 2018. [31] In 2023, it was renamed to the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central, in honor of the first woman and the first African American woman to drive buses for Nashville MTA. [32] [33] A mural was painted at the transit center by Creative Girls Rock, featuring Duff's portrait, and unveiled in September 2024. [34]

Elizabeth Duff Transit Center is a two-story facility with climate-controlled waiting areas. Each level has a U-shaped driveway with twelve bus bays, arranged with six lining each of the straight lengths of the driveways; the upper level opens onto Representative John Lewis Way, while the lower level opens onto 4th Avenue. [35] Riders can buy tickets, check bus schedules, and shop at a convenience store (lower level) or donut shop (upper level), both located at the facility. A multi-story public parking garage is located above the transfer portion of the facility. [35]

Active Bus Fleet

Manufacturer and ModelImageLengthYearFleet NumbersNotes
New Flyer XDE60 MTA bus Nashville TN 2013-12-27 002.jpg 60'2013120-141
20171760-1763
Nabi 60-BRT HEV Vehicle Nashville TN 2013-07-20 007.jpg 60'2008180-185
2010186-199
Gillig Low Floor WeGo 2312, Gillig Low Floor at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville.jpg 40'2011700-724
20202001-2019
20232300-2319
20242400-2427
20252500-2510
Gillig Low Floor HEV WeGo 1916, Gillig Low Floor at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville.jpg 40'2012725-736
20171700-1703
20181800-1830
20191900-1920
Gillig BRT HEV40'2015737-740
MCI D4500CT WeGo 721, MCI suburban bus at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville.jpg 45'20192713-2723
20222140-2149 [36]
New Flyer XD60 WeGo 2165, New Flyer XD60 at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center, Nashville, Mar 2025, front qtr.jpg 60'20212164-2168
20232200-2213

Neighborhood Transit Centers

Transit CenterRoutesNotes
Hillsboro
  • 7 Hillsboro Pike
  • 17 12th Avenue South
Opened in 2022. [37] Adjacent to Hillsboro High School.
North Nashville (Dr. Ernest Rip Patton, Jr.)
  • 9 MetroCenter
  • 14 Whites Creek
  • 22 Bordeaux
  • 42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland
  • 71 Trinity
  • 75 Midtown
  • 77 Thompson/Wedgewood
Opened in 2024. [38]

Park & Ride

WeGo Transit & the RTA also have a Park & Ride program where passengers can park their cars in designated parking lots and ride the bus to their destination.

Fares

Local service fares are $2.00 for adults; $1.00 for youth aged 19 and under, seniors, people with disabilities, and Medicare card holders with a Discount ID. Full-day fares are $4.00 and full calendar month fares are $65.00 for adults. Commuter buses cost $4.25. [39] WeGo Transit finished implementing its QuickTicket fare card system in January 2022. [40] Paper tickets were phased out in September 2023. [41]

Commuter rail

WeGo Star

Three EMD F40PH locomotives in use by the WeGo Star lined up within the Lebanon, Tennessee yards. The third F40PH on the far right is a former Amtrak locomotive painted in its original Pacific Surfliner scheme. All three locomotives have since been repainted into the WeGo scheme. MCSLineup01 jpg 79417.jpg
Three EMD F40PH locomotives in use by the WeGo Star lined up within the Lebanon, Tennessee yards. The third F40PH on the far right is a former Amtrak locomotive painted in its original Pacific Surfliner scheme. All three locomotives have since been repainted into the WeGo scheme.

The WeGo Star( reporting mark NRTX) is a commuter rail service running between Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee. The service uses the existing track of the Nashville and Eastern Railroad. The line stops at seven stations: Riverfront, Donelson, Hermitage, Mt. Juliet, Martha, Hamilton Springs and Lebanon. The operation covers 32 miles (51 km) of rail line. The MTA took over operation of the commuter service in 2008 after initial service began on September 18, 2006. [42] In 2024, the system had an annual ridership of 125,900.

Expansion

A proposed expansion of the system to Clarksville and Ashland City is projected to cost $525 million. [43]

Expansion

nMotion

WeGo and the RTA are conducting a strategic planning process called nMotion to find new and innovative ways to improve transportation in Nashville. [44] nMotion is WeGo and the RTA's Strategic Plan, a 25-year comprehensive plan designed to meet the Nashville area's vision for transit. The plan will look at how the transit system works today and identify opportunities to enhance the transit system, improve service, attract and retain new riders and meet the growing needs of the Nashville region. Throughout the project, the public will engage in developing the blueprint of actions to make the best opportunities a reality. [45]

In March 2016, WeGo and the RTA began asking for input on three future scenarios for the region's transit system at community meetings. Each scenario presents different transit options for Davidson County and Middle Tennessee. At the meetings, attendees have the chance to review the scenarios and provide input on which strategies the region should consider improving its transit system. [46]

Cancelled and rejected projects

The Amp (formally known as the East-West Connector)

Mayor Karl Dean had his eyes set on a full-fledged bus rapid transit system taking passengers from West End Avenue down Broadway, across the river to East Nashville's Five Points district. The Amp (formally known as the East-West Connector) would have begun at Five Points in East Nashville and extends down Broadway, West End, and Harding Road to White Bridge Road.

The difference between the AMP and the BRT Lite (at the time only available in operation along Gallatin Road and Murfreesboro Pike) is that the former would have been a full-fledged bus rapid transit system, with buses occupying exclusive lanes of traffic. [47] [48]

On the afternoon of January 22, 2015, the MTA announced that it would "cease work on the Amp," though strategic planning for mass transit in the region will continue. [49]

Let's Move Nashville

In October 2017, Mayor Megan Barry unveiled her $5.2 billion plans for expanding Nashville's transportation infrastructure including the addition of light rail service. [50] The final mass transit system plan named "Let's Move Nashville", included 26 miles (42 km) of light rail and 25 miles (40 km) of bus rapid transit, was later rejected 64% to 36% in a local referendum in May 2018.

See also

References

  1. "Transit Ridership Report First Quarter 2025" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 15 May 2025. Retrieved 12 July 2025.
  2. "Transit Ridership Report Fourth Quarter 2024" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 19 February 2025. Retrieved 25 February 2025.
  3. "Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority". www.wegotransit.com.
  4. "Summary of Changes effective September 30" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 21 September 2012.
  5. "2013 January–February MTA Newsletter" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  6. 1 2 Ramirez, Alejandro (August 2019). "The Scene Turns 30: A Brief History of Nashville's Public Transportation". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  7. "Demise of Randor Street 'Owl' Marks Final Theft of City Sleep; Modern Busses Take Over". The Nashville Tennessean . 2 February 1941. p. A7. Retrieved 15 April 2018 via Newspapers.com. Open Access logo PLoS transparent.svg
  8. MALLACH, STANLEY (1979). "The Origins of the Decline of Urban Mass Transportation in the United States, 1890-1930". Urbanism Past & Present (8): 1–17. ISSN   0160-2780. JSTOR   44368292.
  9. "A History of Transit in Nashville". Nashville MTA.
  10. Roman, Alex. "Nashville MTA restores services following rains, flooding". www.metro-magazine.com. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  11. "Severe Flooding May 2010 Disaster Declaration #FEMA-1909-DR After Action Report / Improvement Plan" (PDF). Metropolitan Government of Nashville, Davidson County of Tennessee. 6 July 2011. Retrieved 22 September 2022.
  12. Upchurch, Jenny (13 May 2010). "Out-of-town buses help carry load for MTA". The Tennessean. p. B1.
  13. "Nashville MTA announces rebranding of Nashville's transit system" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  14. "WeGo FAQ" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  15. "Summary of Changes for spring 2013" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  16. "Bus rapid transit 'lite' planned for Murfreesboro Pike" . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  17. "Proposed service changes for spring 2013" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 28 January 2013.
  18. "'Lite' BRT in the works for Charlotte, Nolensville pikes". The Tennessean. Retrieved 19 July 2013.
  19. "Public meetings scheduled for January 27, 29 and February 3, 5" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 15 January 2015.
  20. "MTA Board approves Charlotte Pike BRT lite service" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  21. "Charlotte and Nolensville BRT lite". Nashville MTA. Retrieved 4 March 2015.
  22. "System Changes go into effect March 27" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  23. "System Changes go into effect March 27" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 22 March 2016.
  24. "Nashville MTA System Map" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 4 February 2010.
  25. "Summary of Changes Brochure (Spring 2012)" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 2 April 2012.
  26. "Summary of Changes Brochure (Spring 2012)" (PDF). Nashville MTA. Retrieved 17 March 2012.
  27. "Buses - Transit Services | WeGo Public Transit". www.wegotransit.com. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
  28. "MTA looks to save Music City Star". Nashville City Paper. 24 October 2008.
  29. "8: Opportunities for Improving MTA Service and Image" (PDF). Nashville Strategic Transit Master Plan (Report). Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority. 27 August 2009. Retrieved 7 March 2025. The Music City Central Station is a new state-of-the-art facility that replaced our street level transfer site which resulted in crowded downtown sidewalks. The well lit areas, with heated customer waiting areas, provide a new look for downtown transit.
  30. Motycka, Eli (22 August 2024). "Your Move, Nashville: Riders Evaluate Bus Network on Efficiency and Experience". Nashville Scene. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  31. Pair, Jordyn (13 July 2018). "Nashville's Metro Transit Authority revamps with new look and name". The Tennessean. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  32. "WeGo renames WeGo Central as Elizabeth Duff Transit Center". Mass Transit. 3 November 2023. Retrieved 6 March 2025.
  33. Kurczy, Stephen (23 February 2021). "Elizabeth R. Duff, First Woman to Drive a Nashville City bus, Dies at 72". The New York Times. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  34. "Duff mural unveiled at Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central" (Press release). WeGo Public Transit. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  35. 1 2 "WeGo Central map" (PDF). WeGo Public Transit. 26 February 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
  36. Liahusha, Tanya (10 August 2021). "Nashville's WeGo Public Transit adds 10 high capacity coaches to its fleet; revitalizing transit with another order from NFI subsidiary MCI". MCI. Retrieved 22 August 2025.
  37. Cantrell, Aaron (31 March 2022). "WeGo opens new Hillsboro Transit Center in Green Hills". News Channel 5 Nashville. Scripps Media . Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  38. Abrams, Cynthia (30 August 2024). "North Nashville Transit Center opens, signifying what the city's transit future could hold". WPLN News. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  39. "Ticket Types - QuickTicket". WeGo Public Transit. Retrieved 8 April 2025.
  40. Crutchfield, Ambriehl (21 January 2022). "You can now pay your WeGo bus fare on your phone or a reloadable app, checking off a 2015 goal of the agency". WPLN News. Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  41. Hamblin, Brianna (1 October 2023). "WeGo changes to ticketing go into effect". News Channel 5 Nashville (WTVF). Retrieved 9 April 2025.
  42. "A Star is born: Nashville commuter trains to begin Sept. 18". Trains. 31 August 2006. Retrieved 6 August 2010.
  43. Gonzalez, Tony (10 May 2016). "Middle Tennessee's Best Hope For New Commuter Rail Is Taking Shape; Here's What It Looks Like". Nashville Public Radio . Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  44. "Public invited to transportation meeting Monday". WKRN. 28 March 2016. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  45. "About nMotion". nMotion. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  46. "Community meetings scheduled for final phase of MTA/RTA nMotion strategic plan update" (PDF). NashvilleMTA. Retrieved 28 March 2016.
  47. "Nashville MTA—Broadway/West End Corridor Study" . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  48. "Dean, consultants favor bus rapid transit — not streetcar — for east-west connector" . Retrieved 25 April 2012.
  49. "It's official: MTA to stop work on the Amp". Nashville Business Journal. Retrieved 22 January 2015.
  50. Garrison, Joey (17 October 2017). "Mayor Barry unveils sweeping $5.2 billion transit proposal for Nashville with light rail, massive tunnel". The Tennessean. Retrieved 18 January 2018.