Council member pushes for WeGo Transit to temporarily cut fares

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) -- Inflation concerns are causing some consumer to take a hard look at their receipt and possibly cut corners.

One Metro Council member is pushing for WeGo Public Transit services in the Nashville area to temporarily halt fares to alleviate the stress some may be experiencing. As gas prices surge, Metro Council member of district 19, Freddie O’Connell wants to provide some relief for families.

The council member said he’s starting the push for the city to cut fares, which he plans to address this coming week. O’Connell said there are enough federal dollars available from the American Rescue plan to go public transit.

O'Connell said because of this there should be flexibility to temporarily cut the fares and he suggested 90 days of free transportation.

“We had a significant expansion of transit service in Nashville to give people an opportunity to take advantage of that service, maybe even get accustomed to it,” O’Connell said.

“It would be a huge thing right now as people are looking to save wherever they can with the combined cost of gas as well as inflation right now.”

The council member said he’s going to bring the suggestion up to metro finances this coming week, then he’ll have to propose it to the rescue plan committee.

O’Connell said this option should be seriously considered and as they go into budget season, he said this is the perfect time.

“I'm going to be paying careful attention to what WeGo's budget request does and what the mayor's proposed spending is for that, because this is exactly the time when we should be increasing investment in transit,” he said.