Parents, riders press Nashville MTA for faster security changes after downtown station shootings

Summary

At a Nashville MTA board meeting, parents and riders described witnessing violence at the downtown Central Bus Station and urged immediate steps. The board heard a consultant—s security assessment and approved a new contracted security provider and a short-term extension to the outgoing contractor to ensure coverage during transition.

Public commenters at the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority board meeting urged immediate security improvements at the downtown Central Bus Station after recent violent incidents and a November 19 shooting mentioned by multiple speakers.

Board members heard a security assessment from Marine Tiger that recommended increased on-site security, a transit-focused police liaison, an unarmed ambassador program trained in trauma-informed response, improved lighting and cameras, and installation of physical barriers on buses. The board then voted to award a new security services contract and to amend the outgoing contract to ensure no gap in coverage.

Why it matters: Thousands of middle- and high-school students transfer through WeGo Central each afternoon, public commenters said, and parents told the board they no longer feel confident letting children use the system unsupervised. The board and staff said they will move quickly on near-term fixes while developing longer-term policy, staffing and technology changes.

Public comments and callers described a sequence of incidents that prompted their appeals. "Less than 2 months later, someone opened fire, killing a student just as he was transferring to the very same number 7 bus," public speaker Emily Bridal said while…

Parents, riders press Nashville MTA for faster security changes after downtown station shootings

Summary

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