Nashville's MTA Gets National Recognition

[urbanbna]

We have had two huge things happen over the last month. First we got APTA's 2007 Internationl Roadeo which is like a rodeo for mass transit showcasing different events like Customer Service Roadeo, MCI I/O Demonstration Event, and the Sportsworks Pre-Trip Inspection Demonstration Event.

for more info on that go here : http://apta.com/conferences_calendar/bus/index.cfm

We were also shocased in Mass Transit, the national magazine about mass transit.

click here for the full story : http://masstransitmag.com/print/Mass-Trans...ens/1$3361

[southsideJ]

We have had two huge things happen over the last month. First we got APTA's 2007 Internationl Roadeo which is like a rodeo for mass transit showcasing different events like Customer Service Roadeo, MCI I/O Demonstration Event, and the Sportsworks Pre-Trip Inspection Demonstration Event.

for more info on that go here : http://apta.com/conferences_calendar/bus/index.cfm

We were also shocased in Mass Transit, the national magazine about mass transit.

click here for the full story : http://masstransitmag.com/print/Mass-Trans...ens/1$3361

[nashvillwill]

i think one of the best upgrades that was proposed is the buses accepting credit cards. as an infrequent rider, i don't have a monthly pass, so i always have to worry about carrying cash. it is a pain sometimes, credit card machines would be great.

[BrandonTO416]

I think its amazing how much of a turn-around MTA has had in the past 5 years. When I started foruming back in 2000 on various urban forums, MTA had one of the most unusable bus systems in the nation with the oldest equipment.

Fast forward to 2007, MTA has most all new buses, a new downtown transit centre under construction, several enhanced routes, and its interconnected with an RTA commuter rail system with center city bus shuttles on demand.

At least the changes have all been positive thus far.

I admire them moving in the direction toward BRT. In my experience, LRT is wonderful; however, it is not a replacement for heavy rail. I used to deride the transit in greater Nashville (because it used to suck quite frankly) and didn't see the need for starting with commuter rail and used to be an LRT-only supporter. These days, after seeing numerous cities across the nation and outside the nation, as well as what is going on in Nashville, I think the current route is the best thing possible.

Commuter rail + BRT + enough money left over to run a greatly enhanced standard bus system will serve Nashville very well. LRT would have drained away money from MTA to the point that they couldn't afford to keep buses running properly, let alone increase services. BRT serves as an alternative to the center city that can pave the way for rail later, if necessary.