New changes coming to WeGo Transit routes

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — New changes are coming to WeGo Public Transit routes, and they’ll specifically impact riders in North Nashville.

The goal is to make connections easier and more efficient.

Construction of North Nashville’s Dr. Ernest “Rip” Patton Jr. Transit Center is well underway. Transit officials told News 2 the project is about 80% complete at this time.

“It’s going to offer people here in North Nashville new connections and a whole bunch of different ways to get around,” said Wego Public Information Office Eric Melcher.

As the transit center nears completion, system-wide service expansions and improvements to several WeGo bus routes in that area, including a new crosstown route, will go into effect on Sunday, March 31.

“One thing of the big new things that’s going to come out of this will be a new crosstown route, which is 71 Trinity Lane. It’s going to go all the way from East Nashville and Gallatin Pike and it’ll cut over and here to the transit center, so it’s a great way for people who are avoiding downtown to get across town,” said Melcher.

The plan will include the following changes:

New service

71 Trinity – new crosstown route connecting NNTC to Gallatin Pike via Clarksville Pike, Buena Vista Pike, and Trinity Lane

Bordeaux/Buena Vista WeGo Link Zone

Improved frequency

            9 MetroCenter                41 Golden Valley                    75 Midtown

            14 Whites Creek              42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland     77 Thompson/Wedgewood

            22 Bordeaux                           

Route modifications

9 MetroCenter – extended to NNTC, route changes through MetroCenter

14 Whites Creek – extended via Kings Lane and Clarksville Pike to NNTC

22 Bordeaux – will operate between the Elizabeth Duff Transit Center at WeGo Central (Central) and NNTC; route 22A will be replaced by an extension of route 77 Thompson/Wedgewood; route 22B replaced by extended route 14 Whites Creek and new route 71 Trinity

41 Golden Valley – will operate the same routing all day with no express service on Ellington Parkway; will serve Brick Church Pike, Old Matthews Road, Whites Creek Pike, Green Lane, and Ewing Drive

42 St. Cecilia-Cumberland – will become a two-way service from Central to NNTC via the Buena Vista Heights and Jones neighborhood; service will be eliminated on the south portion of the current route; route 75 Midtown will serve portions of Osage, 25th, Delk, and 26th currently served by route 42

75 Midtown – will operate via Osage, 25th, Delk, and 26th instead of via Dr. D.B. Todd Jr. Boulevard between Osage and NNTC; will be re-routed to serve some of the eliminated portions of the current route 42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland; minor re-routing to serve NNTC

77 Thompson-Wedgewood – will be re-routed to serve NNTC and County Hospital Road

Schedule adjustments

            3 West End                             22 Bordeaux                          55 Murfreesboro Pike

            9 MetroCenter                        28 Meridian                          56 Gallatin Pike

            14 Whites Creek                     41 Golden Valley                    75 Midtown

            18 Airport                              42 St. Cecilia/Cumberland      77 Thompson/Wedgewood

Central bay changes

            9 MetroCenter                         29 Jefferson                           86 Smyrna/La Vergne

            14 Whites Creek                     41 Golden Valley                     94 Clarksville

            28 Meridian                             84 Murfreesboro                    95 Spring Hill/Franklin

“It’s a way to better connect with the city. The whole idea is to better connect this neighborhood to jobs, to healthcare, all the things that transit can offer people,” Melcher told News 2.

WeGo officials said they hope a new addition to WeGo Link in North Nashville will also help people looking to make connections.

“Even if you don’t have transit that’s running right in front of your house, this is a way for you to use Uber, get to a transit frequent stop location, and be able to get where you need to go and get back. It’s our way to kind of fill in the gaps,” said Melcher.

The North Nashville transit center is expected to be complete by the end of spring.