NashTransit

Interview on WPLN

# posted by dotsandlines @ 8:29 PM 0 Comments

The Tennessee Transportation Report is a brand-new blog from MTSU economics professor Martin Kennedy, all about -- well, I guess the title makes it obvious, doesn't it? Anyway, he's already off to a great start. Take a look!

# posted by dotsandlines @ 10:54 PM 0 Comments

The cutting of the #1 Vine Hill route hurt a lot of the elderly, disabled, and low income people, especially those living at Vine Hill Towers, who now have to walk a mile to get to the next nearest stop on Nolensville - and that's by taking a shortcut through the fairgrounds. That shortcut won't be available while the State Fair is there. See Channel 4's report.

Here's a very interesting tidbit from that news segment:

MTA's planning officials are trying to restore services that were cut to balance the budget. They're developing a master plan not only to rework some routes but to develop more stable sources of funding.

"Just hold on, we're working on it. We're doing our best to get service back to everyone who lost it," said Jim McAteer, MTA Planning Department.

The planning process will take until March.

# posted by dotsandlines @ 11:35 PM 0 Comments

Tennessean approves of MTA/RTA restructuring plan

TDOT Commissioner Speaks

Here's something I totally missed, when the story first appeared back in July: RTA's starting a new express bus to Sumner County, beginning September 15. (Note that the one commenter to the Tennessean article appears somewhat unclear on where the Music City Star goes.)

# posted by dotsandlines @ 10:29 PM 0 Comments

I'm so very very behind... ack. And when there's good news all around, too.

First of course, the now old news - MTA is taking over Regional Transportation Agency (RTA), and its Music City Star commuter train. Let's hope MTA can help turn it around. Yes, the July 4th fireworks fiasco was a big logistical mess, but it did demonstrate that many more people will consider riding a train if the conditions are right. It reveals that there is potential for MCS to succeed.

And today, word that the outcry over the MTA cuts has not gone unnoticed by Mayor Dean. I don't have a cite for it at the moment, but I do recall hearing that the results of the Green Ribbon Panel survey showed overwhelming support for mass transit. And with RTA and MTA soon to be essentially merged, the search for a dedicated funding source might not just stop in Metro, but extend to the surrounding counties that RTA serves.

Here's the word from the Nashville City Paper. None of these things will happen overnight, but it's a great start.

# posted by dotsandlines @ 10:42 PM 1 Comments