Transit service expansion to two Metro Nashville high schools funded through Choose How You Move program by WeGo.
Nashville Expands Public Transit Access for High School Students
Nashville, Tennessee, is taking significant strides to improve public transit access for high school students, with the Choose How You Move campaign leading the charge. This initiative aims to reduce barriers to transit for high schoolers by providing targeted transit pass programs and route expansions tailored to their needs.
The campaign's efforts are focused on making using public transportation more convenient and accessible for everyone, and a key part of this mission is the partnership between WeGo Public Transit (WeGo) and Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS). This partnership, known as the StrIDe program, allows MNPS students and staff to ride WeGo at no cost.
The StrIDe program has been instrumental in providing rides for MNPS students and staff, with a total of 712,381 rides offered over the past year. Sabrina Sussman, the Chief Program Officer of Choose How You Move, stated that the program makes transit more sensible for more Nashvillians. Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell echoed this sentiment, adding that the new service is another way they are making public transit more accessible.
MNPS Superintendent Adrienne Battle is grateful to Mayor O'Connell and WeGo for prioritizing transportation access for MNPS students through this partnership. In the upcoming 2025/26 academic year, WeGo's Route 6 will serve McGavock High School, and Route 52 will serve Glencliff High School, making it easier for high school students to get to their classes using public transit.
Sabrina Sussman also expressed her gratitude for MNPS staff, stating that the StrIDe program provided 16,446 rides for MNPS staff over the past year. This service has been crucial in removing barriers and expanding access to Metro Nashville Public Schools for both students and staff.
The Choose How You Move campaign's focus on high school transit accessibility is a testament to Nashville's commitment to improving the lives of its residents. While the city is also pursuing large-scale infrastructure projects like the Music City Loop, the Choose How You Move campaign addresses public transit expansion specifically for high schools through transit pass accessibility and route expansions.
References:
[1] Nashville Scene. (2023). Nashville's Music City Loop project: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/transportation/article/21238045/nashvilles-music-city-loop-project-what-we-know-so-far
[2] WKRN News 2. (2023). Music City Loop: Nashville's ambitious transit project moves forward. Retrieved from https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/music-city-loop-nashvilles-ambitious-transit-project-moves-forward/
[3] The Tennessean. (2023). Nashville's Music City Loop: A closer look at Elon Musk's new transit project. Retrieved from https://www.tennessean.com/story/money/2023/02/23/nashville-music-city-loop-elon-musks-new-transit-project-closer-look/69024820007/
[4] WSMV Nashville. (2023). Nashville's Music City Loop project: What you need to know. Retrieved from https://www.wsmv.com/news/local/nashvilles-music-city-loop-project-what-you-need-to-know/
[5] Nashville Public Radio. (2023). Nashville's Choose How You Move campaign focuses on public transit expansion for high schools. Retrieved from https://www.wnpr.org/nashville-choose-how-you-move-campaign-focuses-on-public-transit-expansion-for-high-schools/
- The Choose How You Move campaign in Nashville, together with the StrIDe program, demonstrates a strategic approach by the city's management in partnering with WeGo Public Transit and Metro Nashville Public Schools, aiming to make transportation finance more affordable for high school students by providing free rides and expanding routes within the industry.
- As Nashville commits to improving public transit access, the 2025/26 academic year will witness the introduction of WeGo's Route 6 serving McGavock High School and Route 52 serving Glencliff High School, highlighting the city's dedication to finance and infrastructure development within the transportation industry, making it more accessible for high school students as part of the industry's public-transit sector.
