Potential future service improvements, schedule changes
NASHVILLE – The Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) recently held public meetings to gather feedback on a draft transit plan for the WeGo Star. A preferred future service plan is proposed that is a culmination of project team efforts involving extensive financial analysis, public feedback, modelling, and market assessments. The draft transit plan proposes improvements that accommodate additional service, changing customer needs, maintain a state of good repair for the Star, and provide a positive impact on the region and station communities.
Proposed improvements address much of the feedback provided by riders and non-riders alike. These include evening train service on weekdays, the addition of Saturday service during the day and evening, routing all train trips between Lebanon and Nashville, midday bus service between stations, and continued special event/Titans game service on Sundays.
Implementation of the draft transit plan is contingent on multiple factors, including RTA Board approval, continued coordination with freight operator RJ Corman, and the Nashville and Eastern Railroad Authority, and the identification of funding for increased annual operations and maintenance and one-time capital investments.
The draft transit plan was unveiled throughout a series of public meetings held the week of July 15th, in which the public was asked to provide feedback on the conceptual schedule and any additional comments on Star future service.
More information, presentation materials, and a short survey are currently available on the WeGo project page website http://bit.ly/wegostarfuture through Sunday, August 11th.