Think tank’s report draws lessons from Austin, Indianapolis, and Phoenix to guide Nashville’s next steps toward a world-class transit system
NASHVILLE – Nearly one year after Nashville voters overwhelmingly approved the Choose How You Move transportation improvement plan, nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee has released a new research report—From Referendum to Reality: Leadership, Trust, and Transit Implementation for Nashville—offering guidance from other U.S. cities that have successfully implemented voter-approved transit plans.
In November 2024, 66% of Nashville voters made history by approving the city’s first dedicated transit funding source, expected to generate approximately $152 million annually. With new resources in hand, Nashville is now poised to deliver a comprehensive multimodal transportation system. But as ThinkTennessee’s new research emphasizes, funding alone is not enough—leadership, culture, and community trust are equally essential to success. Drawing lessons from interviews with city officials, transit leaders, and experts in Austin, Indianapolis, and Phoenix, the report highlights how each city turned voter support into lasting improvements in transit service and mobility.
“Passing a transit referendum is a major milestone, but it’s only the beginning,” said Erin Hafkenschiel, president of ThinkTennessee. “With dedicated funding, Nashville will now be able to invest in transit-related improvements that can deliver the world-class transit system our residents deserve. Other cities have been where Nashville is today, and their successes stemming from a focus on leadership, collaboration, and trust-building offer Nashville guidance on navigating the road ahead.”
Key Takeaways:
- Leadership matters. A clear vision, effective governance structure, and strong transit champions are critical to overcoming obstacles and sustaining momentum.
- Culture change is key. Transit agencies must shift from a scarcity mindset to one that empowers staff, builds internal capacity, and encourages cross-agency collaboration.
- Trust must be earned continuously. Communicating transparently, celebrating early wins, and engaging citizen advisory committees help maintain public confidence.
- Keep the “north star” in focus. Successful implementation means staying flexible but never compromising on quality—building toward a frequent, reliable, world-class transit system.
The report provides actionable guidance for Nashville leaders as they transition from planning to implementation, including case studies from peer cities that offer insight into governance models, community engagement, and transit design.
The full report, From Referendum to Reality: Leadership, Trust, and Transit Implementation for Nashville, is available at thinktennessee.org/research/infrastructure.
