On Nov. 7, Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell announced that the “Choose How You Move” transit referendum passed with a majority vote of 65%.
The transit improvements for Davidson County and Nashville include:
24-hour WeGo bus service
86 miles of new or upgraded sidewalks
592 smart signals
285 upgraded bus stops
12 strategically located transit centers
54 miles of high-capacity transit corridors, including bus rapid transit routes
Aimed to improve traffic flow and overall convenience to Nashville residents, bus routes are designed to bring easy-access transportation to neighborhoods while still servicing popular stops such as Murfreesboro, Hillsboro and Midtown.
The city of Nashville plans to increase taxes by a half-cent with federal funding covering the rest.
The overall cost to implement the new systems over the next 15 years is projected to cost roughly $1.3 million with the tax increase to be in effect on Feb. 1, 2025.
This would not be the first attempt by the city to improve transportation.
In 2018, “Let’s Move Nashville” was initiated by Former Mayor Megan Barry but received fast backlash from the Americans for Prosperity campaign.
The referendum was defeated by a margin of 64-36, according to a report from The Tennessean.
Belmont’s SGA President, Carter Barnett spoke on the relevance and importance of this new movement for Belmont students.
“The Hillsboro bus station is a convenient 6-minute walk from campus, with only an 8–10 minute wait for buses during the day," he said. “If you take the bus downtown at least once a month, you’re getting the sales tax increase back and the additional money spent Ubering or parking."
Through a partnership with Nashville’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, Belmont students have been able to use public transportation for almost two decades.
By utilizing these free and accessible services provided by the city, students can move about the city and county freely and in a timelier manner.
But are students going to use it?
“You're helping pay through sales tax. Why wouldn’t you use it?” Barnett said.
Transportation methods vary for Belmont students.
According to Louis Mills, administrative captain of Campus Security, there are currently 7087 student vehicles registered on campus, said in a statement to The Vision.
According to Belmont's Website, there is a total of 8,803 students this year, meaning 81% of students have a car on campus.
The remaining 19% carpool, take the bus, uber, walk, or find other ways to reach their destination.
For students who are comfortable and grew up with public transit, the referendum passing is seen as a success.
“Most people I’ve talked to are from big cities where mass public transit is standard. They were disappointed that they can’t hop on a bus and go somewhere,” Barnett said.
But for others, it does not seem to affect them that much.
Belmont sophomore Julia Harris has a car on campus and uses it as her primary mode of transportation for off-campus activities and events.
“It really doesn’t impact my day-to-day life, but I’m glad they’re making moves for easier public transportation in the city,” she said.
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This article was written by Emily Garver