O'Connell celebrates referendum anniversary with 2 new bus projects
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On the first anniversary of the Choose How You Move referendum, Mayor Freddie O'Connell cut the ribbon on two projects funded by the half-cent increase in sales tax.
Why it matters: The mayor is eager to show residents that their support for the transportation funding is paying off.
Driving the news: O'Connell unveiled the city's first "queue jump" project, located at the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Edge O'Lake.
How it works: The queue jump creates a right-hand lane for buses to bypass traffic backed up at the intersection.
- A special traffic signal allows buses to pass through the intersection between five and seven seconds prior to other vehicles. The bypass saves up to four minutes of travel time, the mayor's office says.
Fun fact: The 55 route bus that travels down Murfreesboro Road had the highest ridership in the city in the third quarter of this year.
Zoom out: O'Connell also announced the launch of the Journey Pass, which provides no-cost access to the bus system for people enrolled in Metro social service programs.
- Amid the federal government shutdown, the city said people currently receiving SNAP benefits could sign up for the Journey Pass. The next phase of the pass enables income-based eligibility and starts next year.
- The city is also adding 19 new WeGo partnerships, in which schools or businesses offer their employees or students free bus rides.
Catch up quick: Last month, the city announced $104 million in capital projects funded by the Choose How You Move program.
What he's saying: "Yesterday was an exciting election day across much of America, but 365 days ago our community said at the ballot box right here in Nashville that it is time to move on better transportation in Nashville," O'Connell said at a press event, flanked by top city officials.
- "And today that half-cent investment we chose to make together is hard at work."