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The Case for Transit Based on Insights from Local Community Leaders

written by Haley Jones, intern edited by Jessica Dauphin


On May 1 last year, the Transit Alliance hosted a press conference with several other local nonprofits from our Connect Mid TN transit coalition, calling on leaders to reconsider securing dedicated funding for transit. It marked the fifth anniversary of the failed Let's Move Nashville campaign, the first and only ballot initiative that sought to establish a dedicated funding source for transit in Nashville. Despite its failure, the critical need for transit investment has only become more evident, even amidst a global pandemic.




This year, on May 1, 2024, the Transit Alliance held another press conference, featuring several respected local nonprofits who articulated why investing in transit and mobility is crucial for the health and future of our communities. This event provided a platform for voices often missing in the mobility conversation. Many speakers highlighted Mayor Freddie O'Connell's bold decision to propose a referendum this year to secure a dedicated funding source for Nashville's aging and inadequate transit system.





Mayor O'Connell's transportation improvement program, "Choose How You Move," is a Master Class in getting the fundamentals right. By focusing on safety and upgrading traffic signals, sidewalks, and bus services, it promises to transform how we move for the better. You can learn more at nashville.gov/transit.


But you don't have to take our word for it. Here's what other nonprofits had to say about the urgent need for better, more equitable mobility. This issue transcends any single industry, sector, or special interest, affecting all aspects of our community.


Here are the top 10 reasons to support transit and mobility investments based on the comments of those nonprofit leaders:


10 Reasons to Support Transit in Middle Tennessee

Public transportation is more than just a means of getting from point A to point B. It’s a lifeline that connects communities, fosters sustainability, and enhances overall quality of life. Here are ten compelling reasons to support transit in Middle Tennessee:




1. Food Access

“Transportation is the highest barrier to accessing fresh, nutritious foods... adding a single bus equivalent for 10,000 residents decreases the likelihood of food insecurity by 1.6% points.” - CJ Sentell, Director of Nashville Food Project


Investing in reliable transit helps residents navigate food deserts, bridging the gap between people and grocery stores, and thereby decreasing food insecurity.



2. Sustainability

“From a sustainability perspective, investing in public transportation is the single greatest step a city can make towards becoming more sustainable. If just one driver for households switched to taking public transportation for their daily commute, this would save over 5,000 pounds of carbon dioxide per household, per year.” - Madeline Roberson, Network for Sustainable Solutions


By reducing vehicle miles traveled, public transportation decreases greenhouse gas emissions, leading to cleaner air and a higher quality of life for the entire region.



3. Cost

“During the pandemic, the price of an automobile escalated exponentially, to where now the cost of owning and operating a vehicle is on par with housing costs in our area. By investing in public transportation, walking, and bicycling, we will create an opportunity to reduce the cost of living on limited-income households.” - Mary Beth Ikard, The Housing Fund


The high costs of owning and maintaining a personal vehicle can be a significant burden. Public transit allows residents to save money and allocate it to essentials like housing and food.



4. Growth

“In order for this community to move forward and to grow, they're going to have to empower our communities to have accessible and equitable transportation.” - Kenya McGruder, Urban League of Middle Tennessee


Equitable access to transit is crucial for local communities to thrive, providing essential connections to work, school, and other key destinations.



5. Housing Market Stability

“If we continue to see our traffic-related problems increase... then fewer people are going to want to move here and fewer people are going to want to visit here, and people who do live here now are going to want to start to move away. If that trend escalates the housing market begins to fall apart.” - Ryan Adcock, Greater Nashville Realtors


Reliable transit supports the region's growing population and helps maintain a stable housing market.



6. Safety

“Increased safety... I think that's a very important point because there's also a stigma with the use of public transportation for those who are not used to it... we should have and live in a city which is really a place where you can find prosperity, but you can also enjoy and use the resources available in an efficient and smart way.” - Yuri Cunza, Nashville Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce


A comprehensive infrastructure prioritizes the safety of residents, making public transit, walking, and biking more secure and appealing options.



7. Walkability & Bikeability

“A transit system where our most important roads in our city function more like interstates than streets and this program, this dedicated funding, will begin to prioritize equity and mobility justice but it will really transform our streets.” - Wesley Smith, Walk Bike Nashville


Improved transit systems transform streets, enhancing walkability and bikeability and making cities more livable.



8. Serving Marginalized Communities

“Ensuring access to equitable, safe transportation isn't just about getting from point A to point B, it's about extending a lifeline to those who have been marginalized, ensuring that everyone, regardless of their past struggles, can access opportunity and rebuild their lives with dignity and independence.” - Amanda Clelland, Thistle Farms


Transit can be a critical step in helping marginalized communities access resources, fostering independence, and reestablishing their lives.



9. Affordable Housing

“Communities are only as strong and supportive as their connections. If our residents can't get to the places where they work and learn, if they can't access food and health care, if they can't connect with their friends and family and loved ones, are we really giving them homes?” - Olivia Jimenez, Urban Housing Solutions


Reliable transit is essential for residents in affordable housing to connect with work, education, healthcare, and other crucial aspects of life.



10. Opportunity

“Transit is a connector of people to opportunity... This is not just an investment in safety. In signals, streets, sidewalks, and safety. This is an investment for us, in all of us.” - Ashley Northington, Moving Forward


As the population of Middle Tennessee grows, transit keeps us connected to our lives and each other, fostering opportunity and community well-being.


Supporting transit in Middle Tennessee is an investment in the region’s future, enhancing sustainability, accessibility, and quality of life for all residents.

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