Go Route Buses across the Upper Cumberland have seen ridership increase some 66 percent over the last year.
UCHRA Public Transportation Director Holly Montooth said much of the increase came after the agency eliminated fares. All told, UCHRA has made some 327,000 trips in the last year transporting residents.
“Any place within the cities that we feel as though is beneficial, whether that be shopping centers, or county government, city government, we want to be sure and put those stops on our routes,” Montooth said. “That way, they are easily accessible to our riders.”
Montooth said the state and federal government fund the service through money specifically designated for public transit. Montooth said she is not worried about this funding being cut, as this is a needed service.
Montooth said another important number in route planning is the time and frequency at which people use the service. In addition, Montooth said the frequency of use at each stop is a factor.
“If we pull numbers and see if a stop location isn’t being utilized, that’s going to be a pretty good tell that we need to look elsewhere,” Montooth said. “And where would that be? Do we have a stop that’s a higher demand and where is that exactly? Where is the stop and what is the draw.”
Montooth said these numbers are used to pinpoint potential new stops, even in different cities. For instance, Montooth said if Cookeville’s library is a popular stop, that could lead to the addition of a stop at Crossville’s library too.
The Go Routes are available in Algood, Cookeville, Crossville, and McMinnville. Montooth said Tennessee is one of just six states that offers rural transportation in every county.
Montooth said the Upper Cumberland is unique because it has city bus routes despite the cities being much smaller than Nashville or Knoxville. Despite this, Montooth said providing this service is a coordinated effort.
“[UCHRA has] partnered with our city and county governments to ensure what we are doing is beneficial for everyone,” Montooth said. “You know, we put up bus shelters. We talked to the city about where those should be. Where they shouldn’t be. Where they’re going to get the most usage. It really is a true partnership between us and all of our partners involved.”
Rides on the Go Routes were made fare free earlier this year.