When I ride public transportation through the streets of Nashville, I see a city full of distinctive charm, thriving with potential, but that potential cannot be tapped unless Nashvillians embrace public transportation reform.
Nashville can be a green, sustainable city, with lower emissions. It can be easily accessible with fast, clean and safe transportation that reaches all parts of the city.
It could be more community-oriented, with multi-purpose centers that bring neighbors together. Nashville already has many of these things to some extent, but public transportation reforms are needed to take it to the next level.
Public transport must contribute to the culture of a city
I was born and raised in Chicago, and public transportation is an integral part of my daily life. I didn’t have access to a car for much of my childhood, and even after that I still took hundreds of train and bus rides to school, work, dinners, birthday parties, concerts, and just about anything else that adds color to life.
But in Chicago, public transportation isn’t just for people like me, who may not have access to a car; it is part of the city’s identity. My childhood home is just a seven-minute walk from the Blue Line “L” train. This particular line takes you from one end of the city to the other, with countless cultural enclaves and the bustling tourist and business district of downtown Chicago in between.
Many neighborhoods emphasize their local train stations (the city invests billions of dollars to make them state-of-the-art) and public transportation is a driver of economic activity. Most of all, it’s just easier to get around in areas where parking is expensive. Regardless of race, socioeconomic status or where you live in the city, almost no one is a stranger to the CTA.
So imagine my surprise when I arrived in Nashville and learned that there is a stigma surrounding riding the bus. Furthermore, many believe that you should only use public transportation if you don’t have the income to own a car. In fact, only 2.60% of Nashville households don’t own a car, but access or lack thereof shouldn’t stop you from taking advantage of what public transportation has to offer: reduced traffic congestion, savings on gas and car maintenance and a smaller carbon footprint among many others.
The ‘Choose How You Move’ referendum is a step in the right direction
Mayor Freddie O’Connell’s proposed $3.1 billion Choose How You Move transit referendum will seek to increase these benefits. Here are the best parts of this plan:
86 miles of new or improved sidewalk
Building more sidewalks is a must for a more “walkable” city, or the ability to comfortably walk to all your daily necessities. Outside of the downtown area, it can be difficult to navigate the streets without a car, which is not only an issue for my own convenience, but also an accessibility issue. According to the National League of Cities, walking is the most common mode of transportation for people with disabilities, second only to using personal vehicles. Additional sidewalks will connect people with mobility issues not only to their nearest bus stop, but also to the rest of their community.
‘Complete Streets’ makes cities cleaner, safer and less polluted
The “Complete Streets” project will contribute to the aforementioned plan by building “multimodal street improvements,” allowing pedestrians, cyclists and motorists to navigate the streets comfortably. Additionally, the project includes planting “wherever possible,” which seems especially necessary since the Nashville metro area was ranked the 79th most polluted city in the country by ozone according to the American Lung Association.
The safety of bus drivers and passengers must be a priority
No progress toward public transportation reform can be made without first prioritizing the safety of bus drivers and officials.
This is especially relevant given the recent incidents of violence on buses or at the bus station.
Take it from the drivers themselves. I had a conversation last week with a driver of the 14 Whites Creek bus that runs from North Nashville to the State Capitol.
She told me that drivers are given minimal protection from noisy or violent passengers. She pointed to the almost useless sheet of hard plastic that separates the driver’s seat from the rest of the bus. She also noted her sense of helplessness in situations where passengers beyond her reach might be in danger. This driver suggested that additional Metro police officers be assigned to bus routes. The Choose How You Move referendum proposes having contracted security staff on board buses.
I see a bright future for Nashville if it can also make public transportation part of its identity by investing in a safe, accessible and dignified riding experience.
Elena Wilson is a summer intern on The Tennessean’s opinion and engagement journalism team. She is a rising senior and journalism major at the University of Missouri.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville’s transit plan makes the city cleaner, safer and more inclusive
