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We Go Public Transit reports 4,500 Journey Pass sign-ups and expanded outreach after federal shutdown
Summary
We Go Public Transit updated the committee on its Journey Pass free-fare program, reporting more than 4,500 enrollments, distribution of 8,000 day passes, 350 cold-weather cards, and partnerships to streamline SNAP verification and enrollment outreach.
Amanda Vandegrift, deputy CEO of We Go Public Transit, told the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee that the Journey Pass program has registered more than 4,500 eligible Davidson County residents (as of Friday), representing roughly 42,000 free trips, and an estimated fare-value impact of about $11 million over three years.
Vandegrift described the program as a long-term, three-year free-fare initiative funded through the "Choose How You Move" program. She said We Go launched a soft roll-out in September, pivoted quickly during the federal government shutdown to open registration to SNAP recipients within 24 hours, and has hosted 30 enrollment events, including more than a dozen targeted to SNAP recipients. We Go also distributed more than 8,000 single-day free passes to reduce barriers to enrollment and provided 350 cold-weather cards for people experiencing homelessness through a partnership with the Office of Homeless Services.
Vandegrift said partnership with the Metropolitan Action Commission sped SNAP verification to under a minute at events, allowing We Go staff to register recipients on site. She said the cut sheet provided to committee members will be updated with new partner organizations and additional enrollment events.
Council members thanked We Go staff for rapid responsiveness during the recent federal shutdown and raised policy ideas including planning for temporary fare suspensions (a 30-day fare-free window) in future emergencies. Committee members also noted that tens of thousands of SNAP recipients and federal workers remain vulnerable and that Journey Pass outreach is an important part of a broader emergency-response and mobility plan.
What happens next: We Go will continue enrollment events, update committee materials with new partners and numbers, and coordinate with council members on potential emergency fare-suspension policy options.
