Brentwood considers need for bus route

The city of Brentwood is considering cutting the funding for the 91X bus that comes three times a day to it’s Brentwood stop. Since 2011, the city government has wondered if the bus stop provides a necessary service for residents of Brentwood, and has been gathering better information about the bus from the Regional Transit Authority.

Recently, riders of the Brentwood bus turned in petitions, which has had an impact on some opinions within the city council. Working meetings between the RTA and Brentwood will help both parties decide the best course of action for the 91X express bus route stop in Brentwood.

The cost for keeping the bus route in Brentwood is a fee of $19,847, which is the service for the bus minus the revenue received from passengers.

“I want to emphasize that the city commission is not resistant to the idea of transit. But our staff is very thorough when considering budget allocations,” said Jill Burgin, Vice Mayor of Brentwood.

Data from the RTA reveals that about 50 people ride the 91X bus from Brentwood everyday, and a majority of them are Brentwood residents. The bus stops at Brentwood three times a day and each bus can seat about 54 people.

“We all should be doing more to reduce our carbon footprint and help our environment.   Plus, public transit helps people save money,” said Patricia Harris-Morehead of the RTA.

Burgin said she is on board to fund the bus for one year while information about the best course of action is gathered and considered by Brentwood city officials.

“I believe, however, that because there is no one transit initiative for all municipalities to rally behind, many of us are wary of opening a tab, as it were, for an effort that right now only helps a few,” Burgin said.

The impact that the bus has on traffic and air quality is a major consideration. The location of the stop is on the outer edge of Brentwood next to I-65. Burgin said that the location of the stop is a concern because it may not relieve any traffic along Brentwood’s main roads.

Changing the location of the stop has not yet been discussed.

“Every passenger that rides public transit means there is one less automobile or truck on our clogged roadways,” Harris-Morehead said. “Less cars on the roadways, reduces congestion and helps to our improve air quality in all of Middle Tennessee, not just the city of Brentwood.”

The RTA and the city of Brentwood plan to meet again soon to discuss the 91X express bus route stop in Brentwood.

“I believe that ridership on the 91X and 95X commuter routes will grow, and I think that maintaining the quality of life in our city is a good reason for us to reconsider contributing to that initiative,” Burgin said. “If the 91X gets 120 riders off the road in front of other taxpayers who choose to drive, that helps.”

Check back on Williamson Source for more information as this story develops.