WeGo Public Transit pitches service expansion and Journey Pass as ridership jumps

Stephen Bland, CEO of WeGo Public Transit, presented the agency’s plan to expand service and customer amenities under the mayor’s proposed FY2026–27 operating allocation, telling the Budget and Finance Committee that voter-approved Choose How You Move funding and the mayor’s budget together will enable immediate and planned service additions.

Gail Carr Williams, chair of the WeGo board, said the Choose How You Move program — approved by Davidson County voters in 2024 — is enabling an estimated 7% expansion in service without adding pressure to the general fund. She highlighted the Journey Pass pilot, which WeGo said has registered more than 10,000 individuals at 78 registration events, and praised the program’s impact on low-income residents. "Folks have literally broken into tears at registration events, calling the program life-changing," Williams said.

WeGo told the committee that total ridership for the quarter ending March 31 was up more than 15% year over year and that even excluding Journey Pass trips the system is seeing about 7% monthly growth. The mayor’s budget would fund service changes scheduled to start July 5, including improved frequencies on routes that serve the airport and other high‑demand corridors; further service changes are planned for January 2027.

On funding details, WeGo said roughly $4 million of a $10.5 million Choose How You Move operations line will be treated as fare-box revenue tied to Journey Pass usage rather than a pure operating subsidy. Council members pressed for a timeline to expand Journey Pass enrollment beyond social-service referrals; WeGo said it plans an evaluation of usage and equity impacts after about six months of program data and expects to report back to the committee within months, not years.

The presentation included a package of capital and operating investments: delivery of expansion buses purchased with Choose How You Move capital, a stop and shelter improvement program targeting about 50 projects per year, and a first-ever transit ambassador program to connect riders in distress with social services. WeGo said installed shelters typically cost about $12,000–$14,000, while benches alone are inexpensive but often trigger ADA or right-of-way work (sidewalks, ramps) that raises the total cost.

On operations risks, Bland said WeGo participates in a regional fuel‑hedging program that has locked about 80% of its fuel at fixed prices through June 2027, limiting near‑term exposure to rising gas and diesel prices. Staffing and labor costs were also discussed: WeGo reported transient vacancies but said recent recruiting and training investments have expanded operator ranks to roughly 500; the agency is also expanding a maintenance apprenticeship program and expects to graduate a recent class of apprentices that will reduce vacancy counts.

Security, cleanliness and accessibility were recurring committee concerns. WeGo said the proposed operating budget increases stop-and-shelter maintenance crews (trash collection every three days, quarterly deep cleaning and repair teams) and expands contracted unarmed security coverage, including mobile patrols and onboard security hours. The agency described a "continuum of safety" that combines operator reporting, transit ambassadors, contracted security and coordination with the Metro Nashville Police secondary employment unit.

Council members asked for more detail and schedules on stop improvements, quick-build or temporary solutions ("echo seats") versus full shelter projects, and the design specs that determine when a bench or shelter can be installed in a given location; WeGo said it will provide links to its transit design guidelines and follow up with district-specific answers. Committee members also raised corridor-level questions (West End, Nolensville Pike, Murfreesboro Pike), and WeGo said corridor sequencing and engineering will be carried out in coordination with NDOT, the mayor’s office and regional planning partners.

What’s next: WeGo said July 5 is the target for the immediate round of service expansions in the mayor’s proposal and that January 2027 will host the next set of service changes after staff evaluate the July adjustments. The committee did not take a vote on the item; the presentation concluded with staff offering follow-up materials and the council moving on to its next department hearing.