NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) -
Many people use city buses and a commuter train each day in Music City, but a recent report listed Nashville in the bottom tier for public transportation.
The findings don't surprise the Metro Transit Authority, which has plans to make things better.
Terry Rogers' commute each day involves long waits at the downtown bus station. He has to arrive to work about an hour early because of his limited bus options.
"I ain't saying it's great. But I have to deal with what I got. That's all I can do," he said.
Rogers is not alone. The recent study, released by the Brookings Institution, gave Nashville poor marks on public transportation.
Jim McAteer, MTA director of planning and grants, said the report reinforces the need to get more transit services.
"We have been thinking out of the box and trying to be a little more creative with some of our new routing designs and plans, but it is a challenge for southern cities in general, and we're working to provide better service," he said.
In order to improve the bus system, there will be more routes coming in late September headed out from Nashville to surrounding communities.
"We are adding routes. We just added a route to Clarksville. We're modifying some routes to Hendersonville and Gallatin to have two separate new routes to serve those facilities," McAteer said. "We are expanding our service in Williamson County as well, so we are aware of this and trying to address that need."
MTA wants to hear from residents about how to improve the transportation system.
One proposed solution is a rapid bus line connecting west Nashville to east Nashville through downtown.
A pair of public meetings are set for Tuesday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at the downtown bus station.
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