TCLA Class #27 Makes History: Presenting to the RTA Board
- jessicadauphin
- Oct 15
- 2 min read
This week marked a major milestone for the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy (TCLA) and the Transit Alliance of Middle Tennessee. For the first time in program history, a TCLA class presented their project — a white paper titled “Moving Forward Together: Building a Connected and Sustainable Transit Network” — directly to the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) Board of Directors.
Class #27’s presentation represented months of research, collaboration, and discussion about how Middle Tennessee can strengthen its regional transit system through innovation, funding reform, and education. The class’s recommendations centered on three core areas:
Funding & Value Capture: Encouraging regional collaboration and exploring tools like tax increment financing and transit-oriented development to create sustainable funding sources.
Technology & Innovation: Advancing integrated fare systems, predictive data tools, and microtransit pilots to improve efficiency and connectivity.
Education & Outreach: Expanding public and policymaker understanding of how transit investments drive economic growth, sustainability, and regional equity.
Their message was clear: our region’s future depends on working together to build a connected, reliable, and forward-thinking mobility network.
A Standing Invitation
Jason Fialkoff, representing the class, delivered the presentation to a highly engaged RTA Board that included Mayor Ken Moore of Franklin and Mayor Randall Hutto of Wilson County. The discussion sparked genuine excitement. The board requested that the presentation be recorded in official minutes and invited the class to return next year with an update on their recommendations.
Ed Cole, the Alliance’s first Executive Director, also voiced his support for continuing this tradition, recognizing the importance of linking citizen leadership with regional decision-making.
“I'm proud to give TCLA participants an opportunity to begin their own regional transit and mobility leadership,” said Jessica Dauphin, President and CEO of the Transit Alliance.
Building the Next Generation of Leaders
For over a decade, the Transit Citizen Leadership Academy has brought together leaders from across Middle Tennessee —including mayors, planners, business professionals, and residents —to learn, collaborate, and take action on the mobility challenges facing our region. This presentation exemplifies that mission in action: informed, engaged citizens stepping up to lead conversations that shape our shared future.
Fox 17 News attended the meeting, capturing this milestone moment for the program and the region.
Read the full TCLA Class #27 White Paper, ‘Moving Forward Together: Building a Connected and Sustainable Transit Network.’
A Moment Worth Celebrating
Following the presentation, Class #27 gathered for a photo with WeGo/RTA CEO Steve Bland, Mayor Ken Moore, and Mayor Randall Hutto, commemorating a first for the TCLA and a meaningful step forward for community-driven leadership.
As Middle Tennessee continues to grow, empowering voices like these to inform and inspire decision-making will be critical. This is what progress looks like — and it’s only the beginning.
