"Tennessee's two largest Cities Mass Transit Systems" Nashville MTA/WeGo vs. Memphis MATA (university)

[oobanks]

As we all know Nashville has been on the boom lately and has passed Memphis in population and growth as Tennessee's largest city, but the Transit certainly has not kept up. The city even failed to pass a massive plan this year that would have brought light rail to the city but I guess we will have to see what happens in the future... The city currently has (MTA/WeGo) Transit Bus system and one Commuter rail line (RTA/Music city Star) that runs out to the eastern suburbs. Memphis on the other hand has (MATA bus system and a light rail street car system). How does these cities add up in comparison as far as Mass Transit for cities their size? Which city has the best system with all things considered of both Tennessee cities : city proper Populations over 600,000 residents? Nashville Metro population floating around 2,000,000 and Memphis around 1,350,000.

[Shakeesha]

Memphis has the better transit even with Nashville's commuter rail and WeGo systems. Memphis is flat with wide boulevards and less traffic. When I was there last year for Memphis in May, my bus was right on time to get me from the Walker station next to the University of Memphis to downtown. Even Memphis's interstate system serves the metro better than Nashville's. My bus was late on two occasions and a no show on one in Nashville smh. I wouldn't wish Nashville's clogged interstates on anyone. Nashville blew it on the light rail initiative, which was the nail in the coffin for Amazon. Although I love Nashville, Memphis wins here.

[oobanks]

Originally Posted by Shakeesha

Memphis has the better transit even with Nashville's commuter rail and WeGo systems. Memphis is flat with wide boulevards and less traffic. When I was there last year for Memphis in May, my bus was right on time to get me from the Walker station next to the University of Memphis to downtown. Even Memphis's interstate system serves the metro better than Nashville's. My bus was late on two occasions and a no show on one in Nashville smh. I wouldn't wish Nashville's clogged interstates on anyone. Nashville blew it on the light rail initiative, which was the nail in the coffin for Amazon. Although I love Nashville, Memphis wins here.

Yeah, I have to agree with you on this one as well! Not sure how the transit system is but like you said and I must agree, the freeways tends to serve the city better as well. Memphis Congestion doesn't compare to Nashville.

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by oobanks

The city even failed to pass a massive plan this year that would have brought light rail to the city...

The referendum that failed in May was ONLY about funding ... choosing a way to pay for transit in general. It wouldn't have "brought light rail to the city." The actual transit plan was still to be decided. The folks behind the initiative had to present some kind of sample plan so that voters would know what they were trying to fund.

The tax revenue from the failed referendum first would have improved Nashville's bus system, but it also would have been the first step in building a regional transit system, with faster-to-build and cheaper options than light rail like bus rapid transit and bus-on-shoulder. That "no" vote set the entire region's transit plans back a decade.

And for the record, Memphis has a better bus system than Nashville and a way better street system, but they are grid-based and not "spokes from a hub" like Nashville.