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Issue Brief

Public Transportation - Tennessee

Scope of the Problem  factual statements on the extent of the problem in the past, current, or future

• Like most states, Tennessee needs to update existing transportation infrastructure, improve old and add new public transportation options, and pursue permanent funding sources for local transit agencies.^[1]   
• Tennessee Department of Transportation officials warned late last year that the state is in increasing danger of being able to provide only basic maintenance on roads and bridges, leaving many projects aimed at keeping up with population growth and addressing needed safety improvements on the drawing board.^[2]

• Traffic congestion in Tennessee’s four largest cities ranks in the worst half of the nation and costs Tennesseans more than $1.7 billion annually, according to a new report compiled by nonpartisan think tank ThinkTennessee.^[3] 

• Proximity of fixed routes, frequency of service, and hours/days of service vary widely across the state. Almost all Tennessee transit operates in mixed traffic, limiting the extent to which transit can provide time savings over driving alone.^[4]
• Where transit services exist, they often do not cover an entire urbanized area nor operate in the evenings or on weekends, leaving many people without services.^[5]
• Tennessee’s growing senior population will have a significant impact on mobility and safety needs across the State over the next 25 years. Total population is forecast to grow 24% in the next fifteen years, adding almost 1.6 million people to the State.^[6]
•  Only about 50% of the vehicles used by the fixed route systems and 35% of the demand response system vehicles are in a “state of good repair.” Vehicles past their useful life become more expensive to maintain, impacting service and reliability. ^[7]

Past Policy & Program Milestones  key legislation and milestones including significant policy and funding shifts, major studies, etc.

• 1915: The predecessor to the Tennessee Department of Transportation was created by legislative act in 1915 when the first administrative agency for highways was created and the first highway commission to guide its activities.^[8] 
• 1972: The agency name was changed to the Tennessee Department of Transportation to reflect other modes in addition to highways. ^[9] 
• 2005: the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) published its first long range transportation plan that outlined a 25-year vision for the state’s transportation systems.^[10]   
• 2017: IMPROVE Act: creates a long-term, dedicated funding source to fix Tennessee’s outdated transportation infrastructure by making a modest increase to the user fees on its roads and bridges while providing a tax cut to the food, business and Hall income taxes.^[11]

Current Policy & Programs  summary of current policies in the form of legislation, programs, and funding

• State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP): The Department develops a STIP every three years to provide a statewide listing of transportation projects, covering a period of four years, that is consistent with the state's 25-Year Long-Range Transportation Plan and the metropolitan transportation plans for which TDOT intends to provide funding.
• Tennessee Department of Transportation was awarded $1.14 Billion for FY 2020.
• Highway Planning and Construction (CFDA #20.205): $1.02B
• Formula Grants for Rural Areas and Tribal Transit Program (CFDA #20.509): $46.55M
• Airport Improvement Program (CFDA #20.106): $37.31M
• National Infrastructure Investments (CFDA #20.933): $25.00M
• Recreational Trails Program (CFDA #20.219): $4.14M 

Key Organizations contacts for public and private organizations

• Government
• Tennessee Department of Transportation: links to information about public transit services in Tennessee. Options include fixed-route service, demand-response service, express buses, local shuttles, and complementary paratransit in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  

• Non-Profit - Service Providing

• The East Tennessee Human Resource Agency: Offering Transportation Services for The East Tennessee Region in Our District. ETHRA Public Transit provides door to door transportation services with flexible schedules to meet the needs of its passengers. ETHRA's Public Transit's goal is to provide affordable, safe, dependable public transportation.
• South Central Tennessee Development District (SCTDD): contracts with transit agencies in each of the 13 counties within our district, providing transportation services to everyone based on nondiscrimination practices, and our vehicles meet or exceed ADA requirements. 
• Non-Profit - Advocacy/Membership/Network
• The Tennessee Public Transportation Association: (TPTA) is a non-profit statewide organization dedicated to improving public transportation in all Tennessee communities. 
• Tennessee Transportation Coalition: A statewide coalition has launched to educate the public and state legislators as it seeks an increase and reform in Tennessee’s transportation fees. The coalition aims to recruit other interested parties to join in seeking a comprehensive funding solution to maintain and expand Tennessee’s critical transportation system.
• Foundation
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• Other

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Bibliography   web sites, reports, articles, and other reference material

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