Routes go into effect as part of biannual system changes
NASHVILLE, Tenn. - On Monday, the Nashville Metropolitan
Transit Authority (MTA) Board of Directors voted to approve two new bus routes
and a number of other service improvements as part of its upcoming fall system
changes.
On
Sunday, Sept. 30, a new University Connector cross-town route begins, and on
Monday, Oct. 1, a new route in the Hickory Hills area near Whites Creek begins.
"We'll
be right at the starting gate when the new 28th/31st Avenue Bridge opens,"
MTA CEO Paul J. Ballard said. "Riders want more cross-town routes, and the
new bridge just begs for this one."
Route 21 University Connector will provide cross-town
service connecting six universities including Tennessee State University,
Meharry Medical College, Fisk University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont
University and Lipscomb University. Buses will travel via the new 28th/31st
Avenue Bridge every 30 to 60 minutes on weekdays and hourly on weekends. It
provides transfer points to 10 MTA bus routes. In addition, MTA partnered with
the Metro Arts Commission, who coordinated six artist-designed transit shelters
that will be placed along the new 28th/31st Avenue Bridge.
Route 43 Hickory Hills offers travel between downtown
Nashville and Whites Creek High School and also serves Maplewood and Hunters
Lanes high schools. This route received federal New Freedoms funding to extend
service to the Grace Manor assisted living facility in the northern portion of
Davidson County.
"The
43 Hickory Hills puts public transit in an entirely new territory and adds
service to Dickerson Road," Ballard said.
In
June, the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board of Directors voted to
approve new expanded express bus service to Murfreesboro/Smyrna/La Vergne and
to Gallatin.
Beginning
Oct. 1, three new bus routes - Routes 84X Murfreesboro Express, 86X
Smyrna/La Vergne Express and 87X Gallatin Express - will be available for
RTA customers.
New
Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding provides resources for a
separate express bus route from Murfreesboro to Nashville. Route 84X
Murfreesboro Express will begin service at Middle Tennessee State
University (MTSU), continue to a new Park-n-Ride at the Boulevard Church of
Christ on North Rutherford Boulevard, and then continue on Rutherford and
Northfield to Broad to the current Route 96X routing.
In
addition to the express buses from Murfreesboro, RTA CMAQ funding also provides
for a separate express bus route from Smyrna and La Vergne. Buses for Route
86X Smyrna/La Vergne Express will begin service at the Smyrna Kmart
Park-n-Ride, continue to La Vergne and to I-24 via Waldron Road.
New
Route 87X Gallatin Express will provide additional service to Gallatin,
including a portion previously served by Route 92X. A second Park-n-Ride lot in
Gallatin is located at the Gallatin Farmers' Market.
