Nashville Transit Ridership Back to Pre-Covid Levels

Local bus ridership is recovering quickly, hitting 2.2 million riders in the last quarter of FY 2023-2024.

1 minute read

September 11, 2024, 8:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Nashville MTA transit bus at station on street.

Michael Rivera, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons

WeGo Public Transit ridership in Nashville, Tennessee surpassed pre-pandemic levels in the last quarter of Fiscal Year 2023-2024, increasing by 6 percent over the previous year.

According to an article in Mass Transit, total ridership on Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (Nashville MTA) was 2.2 million in that quarter. “The seven routes connecting to the new Dr. Rip Patton, Jr. North Nashville Transit Center experienced a 36 percent jump in ridership in the same time period.” 

WeGo offers 27 local bus routes and nine regional routes in the Nashville area. “Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee regional routes continue to recover, with the WeGo Star showing a 20 percent ridership increase and express bus routes a 13 percent increase compared to the previous year. The WeGo Star was at 43 percent and express bus service at 44 percent of pre-pandemic ridership levels.”

Monday, September 9, 2024 in Mass Transit

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

June 11, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Metrorail train pulling into newly opened subterranean station in Washington, D.C. with crowd on platform taking photos.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”

The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

June 2, 2025 - The Hill

Large crowd on street in San Francisco, California during Oktoberfest festival.

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns

In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

June 2, 2025 - Robbie Silver

Color-coded map of labor & delivery departments and losses in United States.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace

In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and harrowing close calls are a growing reality.

5 hours ago - Maine Morning Star

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

7 hours ago - Fast Company

Bike lane in Washington D.C. protected by low concrete barriers.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint

Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.

June 15 - The Washington Post