METRO Magazine Logo
MenuMENU
SearchSEARCH

Nashville MTA, RTA hit big ridership numbers

Together, they provided 10.5 million passenger trips in the Middle Tennessee region.

August 14, 2013
1 min to read


For the second straight year, the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA) and Regional Transportation Authority of Middle Tennessee (RTA) jointly recorded more than 10 million passenger trips in a fiscal year.

In fiscal year 2013, the Nashville MTA provided 9.7 million passenger trips to residents, visitors, students and tourists within Metro Nashville on its buses and vans. RTA recorded approximately 800,000 passenger trips on its train, buses and vans. Together, they provided 10.5 million passenger trips in the Middle Tennessee region.

Ad Loading...

“This is a great accomplishment for Nashville and Middle Tennessee,” RTA board Chair and Metro Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said.  “As a result of our transit services, fewer cars are traveling on our roads and interstates. Transit customers are helping to improve the region’s air quality and reduce traffic congestion in the area. This is good news for the future of our city.”

Ridership has increased steadily over the past year and continues to grow. Average Nashville MTA ridership is more than 33,000 passenger trips per weekday. Average regional bus ridership is 1,500 passenger trips per weekday. Ridership on regional buses has grown rapidly as well, up 23%.

More Bus

Bus Tech Talk: Transit Tech Training...What's Changed?
Busby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Bus Tech Talk: Keeping Transit Technicians Ahead of the Technology Curve

LA Metro’s Obed Mejia discusses technician training, evolving maintenance technology, fleet replacement, and strategies for getting the most out of today’s transit fleets.

Read More →
RIPTA, APTA, and federal officials at the launch of the agency's new Frontrunner vehicles
Technologyby Alex RomanSeptember 4, 2026

Biz Briefs: RIPTA Unveils New Frontrunners, Clevland RTA Adds New Siemens, and More

In METRO's latest installment, we take a look at recent news from Siemens, Prevost, Dodge, and more partnerships making headlines across the transportation sector.

Read More →
Holly Arnold
Managementby Alex RomanSeptember 2, 2026

People Movement: Holly Arnold Joins Transdev and More

In this edition, we also cover recent appointments and announcements at Pace, CamTran, MCI, and more, showcasing the individuals helping to shape the future of transportation.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A man in a blue suit stands at a clear podium.
Busby Elora HaynesAugust 26, 2026

The High Cost of Transit Buses: Industry Leaders Look to Procurement Reform

Transit leaders and policymakers examine how standardized bus designs, streamlined procurement, and predictable funding could help agencies stretch budgets and deliver better service.

Read More →
Ray Melleady and industry leaders on Capitol Hill
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 24, 2026

The Business Voice Behind Public Transportation

As chair of APTA’s Business Members Board of Governors, Ray Melleady explains how more than 850 business members are partnering with transit agencies to advance funding, innovation, and industry-wide collaboration.

Read More →
METROspectives: The Overlooked Issues Holding Bus Operators Back
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 21, 2026

From Surviving to Thriving: Building Stronger Transportation Organizations

Bus Business Consultants founder Brian Dickson shares lessons on leadership, organizational health, and creating options for long-term success in a changing transportation industry.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
Finding the Right Balance: Optimizing Transit Maintenance
ManagementAugust 14, 2026

Finding the ‘Happy Medium’: Optimizing Maintenance Without Sacrificing Reliability

The key to maintenance optimization isn’t doing less work—it’s doing the right work at the right time on the right assets.

Read More →
AI Powers Bus Lane Enforcement
Technologyby Alex RomanAugust 12, 2026

LA Metro, City of West Hollywood, and Partners Advance Smarter Bus Lane Enforcement

The award-winning partnership combines AI-powered detection with human oversight to improve bus reliability, accessibility, and enforcement efficiency.

Read More →
PSTA employees clocking in.
Managementby Alex RomanAugust 10, 2026

PSTA Modernizes Workforce Management with Digital Bidding System

The award-winning Workforce Transit Modernization project replaced paper bidding with a transparent digital platform, cutting administrative effort while improving access for operators.

Read More →
Ad Loading...
A Community Transit Swift Green Line bus
Busby Staff and News ReportsAugust 7, 2026

Washington's Community Transit Sets Six-Year Roadmap for Growth, Expansion

Approved TDP targets more bus service, new mobility options, Swift BRT expansion, and a potential Everett Transit annexation.

Read More →