Nashville's free bus ride program off to strong start
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A new program providing free bus rides for economically disadvantaged people has signed up 6,200 Nashville residents about a month after launching.
Why it matters: The Journey Pass program is one of the first projects under Choose How You Move, Mayor Freddie O'Connell's transportation improvement plan funded by a half-cent sales tax.
How it works: Journey Pass is available to people who signed up for Metro social programs, such as food or housing assistance, as well as residents who receive federal SNAP benefits.
- A pass lasts for three years and provides free rides on WeGo buses.
- The O'Connell administration earmarked $14.4 million from Choose How You Move funds for the three-year program.
By the numbers: The 6,200 people who have registered have taken 125,000 fare-free transit trips, a WeGo spokesperson tells Axios.
Zoom out: Getting the word out has been a priority. City officials have hosted 42 registration events.
Flashback: O'Connell marked the first anniversary of the successful ballot measure by introducing two projects last month. In addition to Journey Pass, he unveiled a first-of-its-kind "queue jump" for a bus route in southeast Davidson County.
- As he eyes a likely run for reelection in two years, O'Connell wants to be cheerleader-in-chief for the transportation improvements.
What he's saying: Speaking to reporters Friday, O'Connell noted the free bus program arrived just as residents were missing out on SNAP benefits due to the federal government shutdown.
- "This is a key tool to lowering the household cost of transportation that is on average a top-two expense for any Nashville family or individual," O'Connell said. "Making this an affordable city to live in that has great quality of life have been our two priorities from the outset."