Spring Hill News

Nashville to Franklin/Brentwood, Spring Hill express bus service growing in popularity with riders

February 9, 2010 ⋅  Email this post ⋅  Print this post ⋅ Post a comment

New regional bus service into Williamson and other nearby counties has become popular with those utilizing the service. State employees who live in the area are using the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority/Regional Transportation Authority EasyRide program and are happy to assist in reducing congestion and helping the environment.

“I am so, so thankful for this program. I feel like I got a raise,” said state employee Tami Giles, who is a regular rider on the Route 95X Spring Hill Express.  “It is great to be able to sit back and relax and have someone else deal with the stress of the daily commute.

”The RTA expanded its regional bus network last December with the addition of two more routes. The routes from Nashville to the Franklin/Brentwood and Thompson’s Station/Spring Hill areas operate during rush hour.

“I welcome this opportunity to work with the RTA,” Spring Hill Mayor Mike Dinwiddie said. “I am thrilled the residents of Spring Hill will have this opportunity available to them to take advantage of this service.

”Customers riding these new routes are able to use their commute time for work or leisure, save money on gas, and help the environment by reducing traffic congestion and auto emissions. Both routes are being funded with federal funds through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

“The implementation of a regional express bus service is one of the actions identified in Franklin’s Sustainable Community Plan,” said Franklin Mayor John Schroer and RTA Finance and Audit Committee Chair.  “This will decrease the local traffic flow and improve Franklin’s air quality at the same time.  I know this service will be a tremendous benefit to our community.

“Route 91X Franklin/Brentwood Express runs from Franklin to downtown Nashville with two trips to downtown in the morning and two trips in the afternoon.

The first trip departs from the Williamson Square Kroger at 6:30 a.m., with the second bus leaving at 7 a.m. Buses stop at the Cool Springs Lowe’s 6:40 a.m. and 7:10 a.m. and Brentwood Civitan Ball Park at 6:52 a.m. and 7:22 a.m. before arriving downtown at 7:20 a.m. and 7:50 a.m. at MTA’s Music City Central (MCC) transit station.

Afternoon trips depart from MCC Bay 11 at 4:20 p.m. and 4:45 p.m. Customers will arrive at Brentwood Civitan Ball Park at 4:44 p.m. and 5:09 p.m., at the Lowe’s at 4:57 p.m. and 5:22 p.m., and at the Williamson Square Kroger at 5:07 p.m. and 5:32 p.m.

“With many of our citizens working in Nashville and many other commuters driving to Brentwood, there has been discussion about the need for this type of commuter service.  Increasing traffic congestion in our region is a great concern. We feel, from an economic development standpoint, the express bus will serve not only the residents of Brentwood, but also Williamson County as a whole in a beneficial way,” said Brentwood Mayor Betsy Crossley.

A second route, the 95X Spring Hill Express, runs from Spring Hill to downtown Nashville. It departs from the Kroger on Port Royal at 6:25 a.m., stops at Thompson’s Station Baptist Church at 6:36 a.m. and arrives downtown at 7:20 a.m. The return trip in the afternoon departs MCC at 4:10 p.m., Thompson’s Station Baptist Church at 4:57 p.m. and the Spring Hill Kroger at 5:13 p.m.

“This new express regional bus service is a great benefit for the commuters of Williamson County. With the expansive growth in our area, this type of commuter service helps ease some of the transportation issues along the I-65 corridor. There has been a growing need for this type of service; the ARRA funds are enabling the project to become a reality,” said RTA Board Chair and Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson.

Service is provided through an RTA contract with Gray Line.  Buses for the routes are equipped with restrooms and televisions and can accommodate up to 56 passengers.  Cost is $3.50 per ride or $60 for a 20-Ride pass.