NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 30, 2012

FURTHER INFORMATION:

Patricia Harris-Morehead, (615) 880-3943

Wendy Smith, (615) 862-6194

New bus service from Clarksville begins June 1

RTA will offer two trips to and from Nashville for commuters

NASHVILLE – On Friday, June 1, a new Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) bus service from Clarksville to downtown Nashville begins.

“We are always pleased at opportunities to expand public transit in the region and give people more choices for their commutes to and from work,” RTA Board Chair and Gallatin Mayor Jo Ann Graves said. “This new bus service is a huge win for this community and the environment.”

Cost to ride is $4 per ride and the coach buses are equipped with restrooms and televisions and can accommodate up to 54 passengers. A 20-Ride R&R Express Plus pass also is available for $70.

Buses will depart from the Clarksville Rossview Road Park-n-Ride at 5:52 a.m. and 6:50 a.m. and arrive at Music City Central in downtown Nashville at 6:45 a.m. and 7:45 a.m. The afternoon buses will depart Bay 13 at Music City Central at 4:10 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. and arrive at the Clarksville Rossview Road Park-n-Ride at 5:05 p.m. and 5:55 p.m.

Nashville residents who work in Clarksville also can utilize this new service. A bus departs MCC Bay 13 at 5:45 a.m. and arrives at the Clarksville Rossview Road Park-n-Ride at 6:40 a.m. In the afternoon, a bus departs the Clarksville Rossview Road Park-n-Ride at 5:15 p.m. and arrives at MCC in downtown Nashville at 6:10 p.m.

The Clarksville Transit System (CTS) will provide local bus service to and from the RTA park-n-ride serving the route. CTS fares will apply for connecting CTS service. For more information on CTS service, call CTS at (931) 553-2429.

“We are excited about this new route that is going to provide a safe, economical, and relaxed way for commuters to get from Clarksville to Nashville and back. I believe this just makes good common sense for our residents, the environment and the community,” Clarksville Mayor and RTA Board member Kim McMillan said. “I’m happy that we were able to get the service started so quickly and I am very appreciative of the RTA for their support and leadership.”

Funding for the route was awarded through a federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant, which requires local matching funds. The city of Clarksville and the Tennessee Department of Transportation are providing the local match.

Currently, RTA funds five other regional bus routes that operate in the Middle Tennessee area with express service to Robertson, Rutherford, Sumner and Williamson counties.

Gray Line of Tennessee will operate the buses for the Clarksville route under a contract with the RTA.

For more information, see the attached map and schedule or go online to rtarelaxandride.com or call Customer Care at (615) 862-5950 weekdays from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. or call CTS at (931) 553-2429.

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Editor's Note: To request this information in an alternative format, please call 862-5950 and ask to speak with the ADA Coordinator.