Planning a trip to Nashville, Tennessee? Exploring Music City is an exciting prospect, but navigating a new city can sometimes be challenging. While Nashville is known for its vibrant music scene and delicious food, its traffic can be less harmonious. Finding convenient and affordable parking, especially downtown, can also add unnecessary stress to your visit. Fortunately, Nashville offers a comprehensive public transportation system to help you explore the city efficiently and economically.
While buses are the primary mode of public transport in Nashville, there are a variety of options to suit different needs and preferences. Beyond the bus network, you’ll find a commuter rail line, and the city has embraced popular trends like bike and scooter rentals. Downtown Nashville is also remarkably walkable, though relying solely on walking becomes less practical as you venture further out.
To make your Nashville experience smoother and more enjoyable, here’s a comprehensive guide to public transportation in Nashville, Tennessee.
Riding WeGo Public Transit Buses
Nashville’s bus service, now known as WeGo Public Transit, has been serving the city since the early 1990s, previously operating as the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The rebranding to WeGo in 2018 brought a fresh look with a new name and purple buses, but the core mission of providing reliable public bus service remained the same. WeGo operates much like bus systems in numerous cities across the United States, offering a network of routes for both residents and visitors.
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WeGo Public Transit boasts an extensive network of over 50 bus routes covering the entire city of Nashville. This includes express routes designed to provide quicker transit to key destinations. For visitors, some routes are particularly useful. Route #18 is your direct link between Nashville International Airport (BNA) and downtown Nashville. Route #34 provides access to the popular Opry Mills shopping and entertainment destination. For exploring downtown itself, the Music City Circuit is a fantastic, and free, option, connecting many of the downtown area’s main attractions.
WeGo Bus Fares and Payment Options
Navigating the fare system for WeGo Public Transit is straightforward. A single bus ride costs $2. Discounts are available for young riders (under 19) and seniors (65+). Children under 4 years of age ride for free when accompanied by a fare-paying adult. For unlimited travel throughout the day, an all-day pass is available for just $4. If you plan to use public transport frequently during your visit, WeGo also offers discounted passes for 7, 20, and 31-day periods.
Payment on WeGo buses is made as you board using the fare boxes located at the front of each bus. These fare boxes accept $1, $2, $5, $10, and $20 bills, as well as all U.S. coins, including dollar coins. It’s important to note that while the fare box provides change, it is issued as a charge card, not in cash. Currently, WeGo Public Transit does not offer a smartphone app for fare payment, so be sure to have cash readily available when you ride.
WeGo Bus Hours of Operation
WeGo buses typically start their service day around 5:30 a.m. and run into the evening hours. However, the exact operating hours vary depending on the specific bus route. It’s crucial to check the schedule for your intended route on the WeGo Transit website, especially if you plan to travel on weekends or holidays. Some routes have limited or no service on Saturdays, Sundays, and major holidays. Generally, routes serving busier areas and carrying more passengers tend to have longer operating hours and more frequent service. Routes in less densely populated areas may have shorter schedules.
Park and Ride with WeGo Transit
For commuters and visitors driving into Nashville, WeGo Transit offers convenient Park and Ride locations. These designated parking lots are situated throughout the city, allowing you to park your car and easily transfer to a WeGo bus to reach downtown or other destinations. With over a dozen Park and Ride locations, this system makes using public transportation more accessible for those driving from outside the city center.
Accessibility on WeGo Buses
WeGo Public Transit is committed to providing accessible transportation for all passengers. All WeGo buses are equipped with features to facilitate boarding and alighting for riders with disabilities. This includes onboard lifts to accommodate passengers using wheelchairs. For individuals who are unable to reach a regular bus stop, WeGo offers a specialized service called ADA Paratransit. This service dispatches specially equipped vans to pick up passengers from their homes. ADA Paratransit operates every day of the year, except for major holidays, and costs $3.70 per trip. Detailed information about WeGo’s accessibility services can be found on their website.
Alternative Transportation Options in Nashville
Beyond the extensive bus network, Nashville provides a variety of alternative transportation modes for visitors who may prefer options other than buses.
Music City Star Commuter Train
While Nashville lacks a comprehensive light rail system, it does offer the Music City Star Train commuter rail. This train line serves Nashville and surrounding communities, providing a comfortable and efficient way to travel across the region. The Music City Star has seven stations, offering access to various points of interest. A single ride ticket costs $5.25, and reduced fares are available for multi-ride ticket purchases.
Taxis in Nashville
Traditional taxi services are readily available in Nashville. Multiple taxi companies operate throughout the city, making it relatively easy to hail a cab, especially in busy areas. Taxis can be a convenient option when buses or trains are not suitable, or for direct point-to-point travel. However, taxi fares can become expensive for longer distances, so they are often best suited for shorter trips. You can typically find taxis at downtown locations and at Nashville International Airport. In other parts of the city, it may be necessary to call for a taxi or use a taxi app.
Ride Sharing Services: Lyft and Uber
Like most major cities in the U.S., Nashville is well-served by ride-sharing services like Lyft and Uber. These platforms connect riders with drivers via smartphone apps, offering a potentially more affordable alternative to taxis, especially for longer distances. Ride-sharing has become a popular and convenient way to get around Nashville for both locals and visitors.
Car Rentals in Nashville
All major car rental companies have a presence in Nashville, with multiple rental locations, including at the airport. Renting a car offers maximum flexibility in exploring Nashville and the surrounding areas at your own pace. However, keep in mind that driving in downtown Nashville can be challenging due to traffic congestion, and parking costs can be significant. Car rental may be most beneficial for visitors planning to explore areas outside of the immediate city center or those who prefer independent travel.
Biking in Nashville
Nashville has been increasingly investing in bike-friendly infrastructure, with a growing network of bike lanes throughout the city. This makes cycling a more viable and enjoyable transportation option. Numerous bike rental shops are located around Nashville, offering a range of bikes for rent. B-Cycle provides a bike-sharing system with stations across the city, allowing for on-demand rentals.
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Electric Scooters in Nashville
Electric scooters have become a prominent feature of urban transportation, and Nashville is no exception. Several companies operate app-based electric scooter rental services in the city. Scooters are primarily concentrated in the downtown area and nearby East Nashville. Electric scooters can be a fun and efficient way to cover short distances within these areas. However, it’s important to exercise caution when riding scooters due to traffic and pedestrian congestion, and to adhere to local regulations regarding scooter use.
Essential Tips for Getting Around Nashville
To make your transportation experience in Nashville as smooth as possible, consider these helpful tips:
- Avoid Rush Hour: If you’re heading into downtown Nashville, try to avoid peak rush hour times. Morning and afternoon commutes can be very congested. Traveling after 10:00 a.m. or after 7:00 p.m. can significantly improve travel times.
- Utilize Navigation Apps: Smartphone navigation apps like Google Maps and Apple Maps provide excellent and accurate public transit directions. Use these apps to plan your routes and navigate the city using buses and trains effectively.
- Hotel Shuttle Services: Many hotels in Nashville, particularly those downtown or near the Grand Ole Opry, offer complimentary shuttle services. These shuttles can be a faster, more convenient, and cost-effective alternative to public transport or taxis, especially for popular tourist destinations. When booking your accommodation, inquire about shuttle services.
- Explore City Tours: Nashville offers a variety of city tours that utilize buses, trolleys, and other modes of transport to showcase the city’s attractions. These tours are an excellent way to experience Nashville’s highlights without the need to drive, navigate public transport independently, or wander aimlessly.
By understanding the diverse public transportation options available in Nashville, you can navigate Music City with ease and make the most of your visit. From the extensive WeGo bus network to alternative options like the Music City Star, bikes, and scooters, Nashville offers ways to get around that suit every traveler’s needs.
