For context: Breaking down Nashville mayor’s transit plan before election day
The proposed transit plan is estimated to cost $3.1 billion.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A Nashville man who frequently rides WeGo buses says that he’s looking into Nashville’s proposed transit plan that will be on the ballot Nov. 5.
He said even though the bus gets the job done he does think it could be improved.
Voters will decide on the plan that includes completing a sidewalk network, adding more transit centers and improving road safety. The plan also includes expanding 24/7 public transportation, increasing bus service on major routes and upgrading traffic signals.
“I actually think at the end of the day it doesn’t matter how costly it is cause I mean they are spending a lot of money on other things, tourist attractions so the transit system has no choice but to get better.”
While John doesn’t mind the price tag, not everyone agrees.
The plan would be paid for by a sales tax increase of half a percent in addition to federal grants and revenues from transportation system fares. It’s estimated to cost $3.1 billion.
Emily Evans, the spokesperson for the Committee to Stop Unfair Tax is concerned about the money.
“We’re surprised that after a 34% property tax increase in 2020 and ahead of a likely increase in 2025 and 20% cumulative inflation that we would see a proposal for a sales tax increase,” Evans said.
In another part of the transit plan, WeGo will acquire land to partner with developers for housing, parks and community spaces.
Their goal, as outlined in the plan, says more affordable housing would be delivered next to transit centers. Evans thinks this may drastically change neighborhoods. She said, “I think will be very tantalizing.”
The Office of Mayor Freddie O’Connell released a statement in response to those claims, “Choose How You Move is consistent with local land use priorities. It mirrors Metro’s General Plan, Nashville Next, by placing frequent or new bus routes on the busiest and most densely populated corridors. Most of the federal transportation funding programs do not consider land use and zoning in their evaluation processes. None of the programs require changes to land use policy.”
The Office continues, “This program is governed by state law, the IMPROVE Act, and that dictates that all money brought in from the sales tax must be used on transit and transportation.”
Ultimately voters will decide… the referendum will appear on the same ballot as the presidential candidates. Early voting started last week and will run until Oct. 31st.
Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Copyright 2024 WSMV. All rights reserved.
