Nashville TN: Music City Star

For reasons reported most often in publications such as the National Enquirer, the Let's Move Nashville initiative that "throws a few bones" Music City Star's way, could be in jeopardy:

http://nytimes.com/2018/02/06/us/nashvi ... fair-.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair Use (transit related):

Today, the centerpiece of Ms. Barry’s public agenda may be most imperiled: a multibillion-dollar transit plan that would introduce a light-rail system to the congested city. Voters could consider the plan in a referendum as early as May 1.

Opponents have argued that it is too costly, and a poor match for Nashville’s infrastructure needs.

Safe assumption that expansion of any rail transit in Nashville is "finito":

http://wkrn.com/2018/03/06/statements-p ... les-mayor/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – In the hours since Megan Barry resigned from her position as Nashville’s mayor, statements from political figures and Nashville officials have poured in.

Before resigning late Tuesday morning, Barry appeared in a Nashville courtroom where she pleaded guilty to felony theft of property over $10,000 charges

addendum, Mar 7: The Times' coverage of the matter suggests the fate of the mass transit initiative may not be sealed:

http://nytimes.com/2018/03/06/us/megan- ... ville.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair Use:

Ms. Barry, 54, had wowed Nashville’s large contingent of liberal voters during a 2015 election with her support for gay rights and a promise to bring a world-class transit system to a city where rapid growth and a burgeoning reputation as a hub for young creatives have generated both excitement and anxiety

Fair Use:

Vice Mayor David Briley was sworn in as mayor on Tuesday afternoon, providing what will likely be ideological continuity at City Hall. Like Ms. Barry, Mr. Briley is a Democrat and a known quantity in city politics, having served eight years on the consolidated city-county council.

Mr. Briley, the grandson of Beverly Briley, who served as mayor from 1963 to 1975, supports the multibillion-dollar public transit plan that might had been Ms. Barry’s signature achievement. Voters will consider the plan in a May referendum

Well, look who was behind, other than former Mayor Barry "self destructing", the defeat of Let's Move Nashville:

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/19/clim ... ansit.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Fair Use:

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A team of political activists huddled at a Hardee’s one rainy Saturday, wolfing down a breakfast of biscuits and gravy. Then they descended on Antioch, a quiet Nashville suburb, armed with iPads full of voter data and a fiery script.

The group, the local chapter for Americans for Prosperity, which is financed by the oil billionaires Charles G. and David H. Koch to advance conservative causes, fanned out and began strategically knocking on doors. Their targets: voters most likely to oppose a local plan to build light-rail trains, a traffic-easing tunnel and new bus routes.

“Do you agree that raising the sales tax to the highest rate in the nation must be stopped?” Samuel Nienow, one of the organizers, asked a startled man who answered the door at his ranch-style home in March. “Can we count on you to vote ‘no’ on the transit plan?”

In cities and counties across the country — including Little Rock, Ark.; Phoenix, Ariz.; southeast Michigan; central Utah; and here in Tennessee — the Koch brothers are fueling a fight against public transit, an offshoot of their longstanding national crusade for lower taxes and smaller government.
…

https://nashvillemta.org/News/news1025.pdf

Announcement for track work, new cars, rebuilt F40's.

WeGo is new branding for Nashville MTA for both bus & WeGo Star.

Looking at Saturday service and Tennessee Titans service on Sundays: https://www.trains.com/trn/news-reviews ... l-service/

Nashville-area transit agency considering changes to commuter rail service


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The WeGo Star commuter rail service is considering operating changes including the introduction of evening and Saturday service, as well as Sunday operation for Tennessee Titans football games.

Currently, the service offers six daily round trips, weekdays only, on a seven-station, 32-mile route between downtown Nashville and Lebanon, Tenn., on the Nashville & Eastern Railroad, using ex-Amtrak F40PH locomotives and former Metra bilevel coaches. Four of those round trips run the full Nashville-Lebanon route; two make short turns at Mt. Juliet, 17 miles from Nashville. Three trips run during the morning rush and three in the evening.
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