nMotion transit plan for Nashville and Middle Tennessee region unveiled

Thursday, August 18, 2016

This morning before a joint board meeting of the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA), Nashville MTA and RTA CEO Steve Bland presented draft findings of the comprehensive 25-year plan designed to meet Nashville and the region’s vision for transit. The nMotion plan includes input from more than 18,000 area citizens and reflects the work completed under other efforts including NashvilleNext and the Nashville Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Regional Transit Vision. The release of the nMotion Strategic Plan begins a 30-day public review period, after which the plan will be back before the MTA and RTA boards for approval in September.

Click here for documents related to today's announcement, including a 4-page transit plan summary, the final Community Engagement Report, a press release announcing the plan's recommendations and the nMotion draft transit plan recommendations.

Transportation officials adopt $8.5 billion, 25-year plan

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Regional elected and transportation officials adopted a 25-year transportation plan, Middle Tennessee Connected, that's expected to cost $8.5 billion to cover infrastructure costs.

The 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan, developed by county governments, transit groups and the Tennessee Department of Transportation, applies to seven Middle Tennessee counties.

“It is not only exciting but encouraging to see that mayors and county executives from around the region understand the important role of transit as part of our transportation network, but they are actively supporting increased investment to execute the vision for mass transit," said Steve Bland, Nashville MTA CEO.

Read the full story here.

Lawmakers eye private sector boost for regional transit

Thursday, February 04, 2016

With multiple Middle Tennessee mayors on hand, state lawmakers rolled out legislation Wednesday they say could set a framework for future mass transit projects in the Nashville region and send a signal to the private sector to be part of it.

The bill, which has strong bipartisan support, would allow both the state and local governments to contract private businesses to build, oversee and profit from large-scale transit projects in Tennessee.

It’s only enabling legislation, but with mass transit solutions proving elusive in Nashville, the public-private partnership proposal is getting billed as a way for the state legislature to take a step toward addressing the region’s growing traffic congestion.

State could be key for Nashville regional transit hopes

Sunday, January 31, 2016

Two years after the Tennessee legislature helped derail Nashville’s proposal for a bus rapid transit line called the Amp, the future of mass transit in Middle Tennessee is again getting attention at the state level.

But this time, early signs indicate the state could help facilitate Metro's next transit endeavor. That outlook is strengthened by unprompted remarks last week by Republican Gov. Bill Haslam, who said the state needs to be involved in regional mass transit efforts in the Nashville area.

Read more from Joey Garrison's column here.

Haslam to launch statewide discussion about state's transportation and infrastructure needs

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Governor to visit 15 communities to hear about local opportunities and challenges

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam today announced that he will be traveling the state with Tennessee Department of Transportation Commissioner John Schroer over the next six weeks to discuss the state’s transportation and infrastructure needs relating to the functionality and capacity of Tennessee’s state roads and highways, safety issues around roads and bridges, and the impact infrastructure has on economic development efforts in urban and rural communities.

Read the full press release here.

Transit groups push for more bus funding in highway bill

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A group of 81 public transportation unions and advocacy groups is pushing Congress to increase federal funding for bus companies in a transportation spending bill that is coming up for renewal at the end of the month.

Lawmakers are facing a July 31 deadline for the expiration of current infrastructure funding, and they are considering both short- and long-term potential extensions to help pay for the nation's transportation projects.

The transit groups, who were organized by the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) and Community Transportation Association of America (CTAA), said Congress should reverse a 2012 decision to cut funding for buses in last two-year transportation bill that was approved by lawmakers.

Gov. Haslam says proceeds from raising state gas tax would go toward funding transit projects

Monday, June 29, 2015

Gov. Bill Haslam says proceeds from a potential fuel tax hike to increase Tennessee’s transportation funding should not be limited to road projects.

The Republican governor told The Associated Press in a recent interview that public transit needs to be part of the equation, especially amid the increasing gridlock in Nashville and surrounding Middle Tennessee counties.

Coalition launches to focus attention on transportation funding

Thursday, January 08, 2015

A statewide coalition has launched to educate the public and state legislators as it seeks an increase and reform in Tennessee’s transportation fees. Participants in the Transportation Coalition of Tennessee will include businesses, citizens, community leaders, public officials and organizations that are interested in continuing Tennessee’s transportation infrastructure for the long haul.

The Transportation Coalition steering committee will include representatives from the Tennessee Infrastructure Alliance, Auto Club Group/AAA Tennessee, Tennessee Public Transportation Association, Tennessee Trucking Association, Tennessee County Highway Officials Association, Tennessee Municipal League, American Council of Engineering Companies of Tennessee and Tennessee Road Builders Association.

For more information, visit the Coalition's website at www.tcoftn.org.

MATA Announces Hiring of New General Manager

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) Board of Commissioners today announced that Ronald L. Garrison joined MATA as the new General Manager. The selection of Garrison followed an extensive nationwide search.

Ron Garrison is a 25-year transit professional who held General Manager and executive management positions in both the public and private sectors of the mass transit industry. Read the full release here.

Nashville-area mayors stress transit needs

Wednesday, October 08, 2014

If the Nashville area doesn’t address transit concerns, the region is in trouble.

The point was stressed Tuesday by the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and several mayors throughout Middle Tennessee who are concerned about long commutes for their residents and the impact of congestion on economic development.

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