NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — The Metropolitan Transit Authority is declining to hold an emergency board meeting requested by multiple Metro Council members to discuss a WeGo fare freeze during the government shutdown. This comes despite the council passing a resolution urging the transit system to suspend public fares.
Council members Jacob Kupin and Tasha Ellis sent letters to the WeGo Public Transit Board of Directors on Monday, citing an immediate need to discuss suspending fares until SNAP benefits are restored. The goal, they said, is to help residents struggling to put food on the table without access to federal funding.
In an email to Fox 17 News, Eric Melcher, a spokesperson for WeGo Public Transit, said the agency has enrolled more than 4,000 Davidson County residents in its Journey Pass program, which provides three years of free public transit. He said the program has delivered $9.4 million in transportation aid since its soft launch in September…