Nashville voters overwhelmingly support funding for public transit

Nashville's $3.1 billion “Choose How You Move” transit plan is moving forward.

Voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly gave the green light to a major overhaul of the city's bus systems, sidewalks and traffic signals, with 66% of the city voting to approve the plan.

The approval means Davidson County's sales tax will be increased by half a cent, which will be used directly to fund the transit plan. The increase goes into effect Feb. 1 and puts Davidson County in line with surrounding counties such as Williamson, Wilson, Rutherford, Dickson and Maury, all of which have a combined 9.75% sales tax.

The passage represents a major victory for Mayor Freddie O'Connell, who has made the referendum a hallmark of his administration since taking the helm last year.

The mayor's office announced the victory minutes before 8 p.m. at a watch party at the historic Voorhees Building in the Gulch District, where O'Connell stood before an energetic crowd of supporters wearing T-shirts with slogans like “Ask me about that.” public transit” or “Vote for Nashville” and “Immigrants Vote.”

O'Connell said the effort is “something that has been going on for more than 20 years.”

“For the next generation, we will all enjoy the things we deserve: sidewalks, signals, service and safety,” he said in his speech, pointing to the plan’s four key areas of improvement.

The plan's passage represents a change from 2018, when voters defeated a similar referendum under then-mayors Megan Barry and David Briley that included an ambitious light rail project.

This time, voters appeared to have more appetite for change, with the city experiencing explosive growth and a need for better public transportation as people are pushed to cheaper outskirts.

From early voters last month to the polls on Tuesday, most said they were glad the city was investing in better transit and infrastructure, even if it meant raising taxes.

“Business is growing in our city, so better transit is critical,” said Rachel Kopp of East Nashville, who works in the music industry. “And it would be nice to have a sidewalk to walk the dog on.”

“Public transportation needs to be expanded,” said Jacie Boyd, who voted Tuesday at the Hermitage Public Library. “There are a lot of people here. Since there is no traffic, it takes me 15 minutes to get to work. During rush hour it is two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. “I feel like there are more options and opportunities.” A larger public transportation system would benefit everyone.”

The transportation plan will focus on mass improvements over the next few years, including 86 miles of new or upgraded sidewalks, hundreds of smart signals that can improve traffic flow, upgraded bus stops and transit centers, 24-hour bus service and 54 miles of high-speed bus-capacity transit corridors.

The plan will mean big changes to dangerous streets like Dickerson Pike, where many pedestrians have died. Dickerson would receive more funding to redesign streets, sidewalks, crosswalks and adaptive traffic signals.

The city estimates that sales tax revenue will account for just under half of the plan's funding, with the remaining funds coming from other sources such as bond proceeds, fare revenue and federal grants, many of which are only available to cities with their own source of transportation funding.

O'Connell said the need for better public transportation is critical as residents feel the increasing burden of traffic congestion and rising housing and transportation costs.

Officials have noted that WeGo bus ridership exceeded pre-pandemic numbers, with more than 2.1 million riders in the fourth quarter of the last fiscal year.

But the plan was not without its critics.

The Committee to End an Unfair Tax rejected the referendum on the grounds that paying more of their budget for the sales tax increase would place an unfair burden on low-income families.

As the plan moves forward, voters say they look forward to a city with better mobility.

“It’s been hard because I don’t want taxes to go up,” said resident Melanie Pherson. “But on the other hand, it’s important to invest in our infrastructure, and the GOP has failed us on improving our roads and trails.”

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