Transit Alliance Would Campaign for Regional Funding Stream

A group of business leaders from around Middle Tennessee is organizing to support a new tax or fee that would pay for regional mass transit.

The so-called Transit Alliance would drum up support for a new dedicated funding source to expand bus and rail service throughout Middle Tennessee.

Attorney Charles Bone says he’s recruiting business-minded volunteers who wouldn’t otherwise be in favor of new taxes. Bone says regional mass transit is that important for economic development.

“We’ve got to have funding. And our group is getting out ahead of that to be in a position to say, ‘we can’t wait.’”

The state legislation authorizing this new funding source requires a voter referendum or a vote of the local city council or county commission.

Bone says the Transit Alliance would support whatever funding mechanism is proposed by the newly established Middle Tennessee Mayors Caucus.