AISHA KARA
Nashville Transportation News Package
Nashville has been ranked the worst city to commute to in the United States in 2023. This news package interviews Middle Tennessee residents to hear their opinions on Nashville's transportation issues.
Transcript
[Reporter Track]
Nashville has been ranked the worst city in the United States to commute in according to a recent study conducted by Forbes. Regarding the city as unwalkable and in need of major improvements in the public transportation system, Forbes also claims that the interstate is tough for cars.
White House’s Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission member, Dolly Peay, helps explain this problem.
[Dolly Peay]
We’ve got 65, we’ve got 40, and we’ve got 24. And where they snarl together, coming through Nashville - and because they snarl together like they are, and because they are North, South, East, West - you have a lot of trucking companies that come through. And you have a lot of trucking companies that are centered here in the Nashville area and the surrounding counties because of the access that the interstate system provides.
[Reporter track]
While this access proves useful for these companies and supply chains across the country, it proves to be an ongoing nightmare for Middle Tennesseans.
[Dolly Peay]
Our system has been antiquated almost from the time it was built. If there were a way to remove some of the cars off the road, off the interstate, you know, it would alleviate some of the problems that we have right now.
[Reporter track]
Although Nashville does have public transit options such as WeGo Public Transit, both experts and Middle Tennesseans alike are calling for major improvements in our system, like Kharley Layton from Clarksville.
[Kharley Layton]
There’s a lot of people here that, you know, can’t afford cars, or they always need to get a ride from someone. And so, I think, especially if they work in Nashville or something, or in a different city- it would be very convenient if we had a subway system traveling through all these places instead of just having to drive everywhere, you know?
[Reporter Track]
Noting these calls for action, Middle Tennesseans are hopeful to hear news of changes from officials soon. In Nashville, Tennessee, this is Aisha Karamustafic with Middle Tennessee News.