Where do the Nashville mayoral candidates stand on transportation?

The Nashville mayoral race is underway, with at least 14 candidates vying to lead the city. While there are numerous issues for the next mayor to tackle -- and there is seemingly a forum to address each -- transportation is certainly at the top the voters' concerns. So what do the candidates have to say about transportation?

Connect Mid-TN (CM-T), a coalition of advocacy groups, sent a questionnaire to the 2023 mayoral candidates. The eight question survey asked about each candidate's vision for transportation in Nashville. Topics included infrastructure and funding that facilitates the safe use of cars and traffic, pedestrians, bicycles, public transit, and micro-mobility. The survey was sent to 14 candidates and eight responses have been received to date. View their detailed responses at ConnectMidTN.org/2023mayor

Here's a glimpse into the candidates' vision for multimodal transportation and mobility, including public transit in Nashville...

Natisha Brooks: As Mayor of Nashville, working collaboratively with the State, Private Investors, and a fully functional Grant Committee/Department would be the direction taken to fund transit like light rail, rapid bus lines, sidewalks, and bicycle lanes.

Heidi Campbell: Nashville needs to move past studying this issue, implement what we've learned, and aggressively get the ball rolling on projects that will move us towards useful transit and multi-modal connectivity.

Jim Gingrich: As Mayor, I see dealing with our transportation, congestion, and infrastructure as a critical component in dealing with our unrestrained growth.

Sharon Hurt: [T]he only way we're really going to fix the traffic issue is by investing in public transit. We cannot keep kicking this down the line anymore and I am going to make it a priority.

Freddie O'Connell: We need a Nashville with frequent, reliable transit service—including higher capacity modes like bus rapid transit and a light rail link to the airport—and safer infrastructure. Complete streets that are safe and equitable for all users are proven time and again to be good for business.

Alice Rolli: To use data-driven and economically sound approaches to align our investment in transit to the current and forecasted needs of Nashville residents.

Matt Wiltshire: By providing high capacity corridors and mobility options, we can improve access to jobs and create a more affordable city. And we must focus on safety, which is why I am committed to implementing the Vision Zero strategies.

Jeff Yarbro: For Nashville to be a great city, residents should be able to live a full, high quality life without being dependent on car ownership. Our transportation future should maximize options and connectivity.