On Nov. 5, Nashville voters will have the chance to vote on the “Choose How You Move” Transportation Improvement Program along with their choice in several local offices and the highest office in the nation.
The transit program, which Metro Council voted to put to a referendum this November, focuses on several small-scale pieces rather than attempting to tackle some of Nashville’s most pressing challenges through a major effort like light rail. As the city continues to grow rapidly, and transportation and affordable housing remain issues for residents, the plan hopes to improve mobility, reduce transportation costs, enhance safety, and prepare the city for its expected population growth of 800,000 residents over the next two decades.
Summaries of the plan outlined by Metro focus on housing affordability, noting that in recent years, the cost of housing in Nashville has skyrocketed, with median home prices increasing by 62 percent and average rents by 71 percent between 2020 and 2022. These rising costs, coupled with high transportation expenses, are driving many residents out of the city in search of cheaper housing, only to face higher transportation costs from longer commutes.
The plan explicitly links housing and transportation solutions: One of the program’s goals is to make it more affordable for people to live near reliable transit options, reducing their overall transportation expenses. The plan includes the acquisition of land near transit centers for future development of affordable, walkable neighborhoods. By providing affordable housing options close to high-frequency transit routes, the city also aims to help residents cut down on their combined housing and transportation costs, which currently total an average of $2,500 per month.
It’s also designed to increase walkability in the city, giving residents access to more services and amenities without needing to rely on cars. The program envisions a 50 percent increase in walkable neighborhoods and the need to connect affordable housing with accessible transportation options. The following items outline exactly what comes with the vote:
Half-Cent Sales Tax Surcharge
The core funding mechanism for the plan proposes a half-cent sales tax increase, which voters will decide on in the election. This tax is expected to generate over $150 million annually, according to Metro, providing a dedicated revenue stream for transportation improvements. Notably, the majority of the sales tax would be paid by tourists and non-residents, who make up more than 60 percent of Nashville’s sales tax revenue. The idea is to leverage the city’s booming tourism economy to help fund the transportation upgrades that both visitors and residents benefit from. The additional funds will be combined with federal grants, state funding, and transit fares to fully finance the 15-year project plan. For a household with a median income of $70,000, the tax increase would result in an estimated additional cost of $70 per year.
Sidewalks, Signals, Service, and Safety Enhancements
One of the key components of this is to enhance and expand basic transportation infrastructure. This includes installing or upgrading 86 miles of sidewalks to create a more complete and accessible pedestrian network across the city. Additionally, upgrades to traffic signals, intersections, and streets are planned to make Nashville safer and more efficient for all users, whether they are walking, biking, driving, or using public transit. Safety is a major focus, with improvements planned for 35 high-risk intersections identified in the Vision Zero Action Plan. These upgrades are intended to reduce accidents, especially for pedestrians and cyclists, as Nashville grapples with increasing traffic and pedestrian fatalities.
All-Access Corridors
Another major element of the plan is the creation of 54 miles of high-capacity transit corridors, which will include Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) routes and transit-only lanes. These corridors will be designed to support more frequent and reliable public transportation, providing faster travel times for commuters and making it easier for residents to navigate the city without a car. By prioritizing transit routes, Nashville aims to reduce the reliance on single-occupancy vehicles, which contribute to traffic congestion and longer commutes.
WeGo Essentials
This part of the plan focuses on improving bus stops, transit centers, fleet maintenance, and park-and-ride facilities. The goal is to create a more reliable and comfortable transit system that better serves Nashville residents. These improvements will be coupled with increased service frequency and expanded hours of operation, ensuring that public transit is available when and where it is needed most. The plan aims for an 80 percent increase in total bus service hours, with the introduction of 24/7 routes in key areas.
WeGo Service Enhancements
These include adding new routes, improving service on existing high-ridership routes, and reducing wait times for buses. The enhancements will connect more parts of the city more efficiently, making public transportation a more viable option for all residents. The plan also calls for investments in express routes, regional connections, fare subsidies, and upgrades to the WeGo Star commuter rail. This will allow more people to use transit for their daily commutes, helping to reduce traffic and improve overall quality of life.
Innovation and Technology
It also proposes several innovations aimed at improving the city’s transportation system through technology. These include fiber-optic signal enhancements, real-time safety and security systems, and an upgraded transit app that will integrate with third-party transportation providers. The TIP also calls for the development of a traffic management center that will coordinate traffic signals to reduce bottlenecks and improve traffic flow throughout the city.