First in an ongoing series on traffic and transportation
By SUSAN LEATHERS
Brentwood Home Page
It’s 7:22 a.m. and the handful of commuters waiting in the Brentwood Civitan parking lot off Concord Road is ready to hit the HOV lane on I-65 and head to work. They’re also happy to leave the driving to Ron Jackson, a Gray Line veteran who’s subbing this day for vacationing Phil Yates. Those in line say it looks like other regulars have started their spring breaks too.

There's no old-fashioned change box on the RTA buses, so exact change is required. "I'm also a good fella and I'll take the $3 and put in the fifty cents myself," says veteran Gray Line driver Ron Jackson.

That’s probably a good thing. Very few of the bus’ plush reclining seats are left when it makes its final Williamson County pickup last Friday morning. With ridership increasing right along with gas prices, it’s a scenario playing out more often than not of late.

The previous week, two businessmen trying to catch the first Route 91X bus home had to wait for the 4:55 p.m. one at Music City Central, the downtown bus station, because no seats were left, said Melanie Mayes of Franklin. Mayes started riding in January after getting fed up with fighting her way through rush-hour traffic. Often it would take her an hour and a half to get home, she said.

“So this is lovely,” Mayes said, indicating the big cushioned seats and TVs. But more than that, those riding the bus have formed a little community, she said, with the veterans showing the newbies the ropes. For instance, she’s learned to walk to Bay 11 at the MCC in the afternoon instead of waiting to be picked up in front of her office building to make sure she gets a seat on the early 4:20 p.m. bus. With her children in day care, she must take the late bus in and the first bus out everyday.

“It’s been either full or we’ve only had one or two seats left this last week,” she said on March 18.

Like a majority of the riders, Mayes works for the state, which pays for its employees to ride. The perk “runs out in June or July and we’re all a little concerned about that.”

Asked if she would continue to ride if she had to pay for it, she said “probably.”

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Tom and Janet Keys of Nolensville relax on their weekly Friday bus ride to work.

State employees Tom and Janet Keys of Nolensville commute downtown together – in their gas-saving hybrid, a Toyota Prius -- Monday through Thursday. On Fridays, though, they’ve taken to taking the bus.

“Friday traffic is just so bad,” said Janet. Plus they like the convenience of only having to drive as far as the Civitan parking lot.

Asked if she was ever worried about needing to get home for an emergency and not having a car, Janet said she tries not to think about it. Their daughter is a student at Ravenwood, while their son goes to MTSU. She said they could call on him if needed for transportation or help.

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Carolyn Hirschi holds a record among 91X riders.

“I’ve been riding since the very first day it started,” said Hirschi, a state accounting manager. “I’d been waiting on it.”

Hirschi has commuted to work for 29 years and she has no regrets about letting someone else take the wheel. She said her stress level is way down and she loves the money she is saving.

And then there are all of the “nice people I’ve met,” she added. She said she has watched ridership gradually increase over the months but “in the last month or two, it’s really grown; I’m assuming because of the gas. We’ve noticed a real spike.”

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As the bus rolls up the freeway, the latest headlines are being broadcast on Fox News via the bus’ Direct TV service. Driver Jackson said usually they watch CNN but on Friday someone had asked for Fox. In the afternoon, the Food Channel is a popular choice.

Jackson has been with Gray Line since the early ’70s, as a driver and in administration. He’s been involved with the Regional Transit Authority since it was first conceptualized. He helped devise the most efficient RTA routes and adjusts them as needed. By substituting for regular drivers, he can also keep track of what’s working and what’s not.

Jackson estimates that 94 to 95 percent of the regular riders are state or federal employees. These employees get swipe cards to use in lieu of tickets or cash. Rides are $3.50 (exact change only) one way, with 20-ride passes available for $60.

The RTA schedule shows only three official stops for the express bus service after it leaves Brentwood – Music City Central, located at 400 Charlotte Ave.; 21^st & West End and 21^st & Children’s Way. The Vandy stops were added in November. On Friday, however, Jackson stopped in front of several state buildings before it slipped into its permanent Bay 11 at the MCC  and one after before heading toward West End.  He said he tries to accommodate riders when he can. The buses can legally stop at any blue and white MTA bus stop sign.

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Rozelle White sees the free bus service for state workers like himself to be a perk that’s good for all involved. He jumped on board as soon as the service was offered.

“For me, there are a lot of reasons,” White said, who mentioned the obvious ones first – car maintenance and gas. But since state wages have been frozen, he also sees the service as a raise and worries about it going away.

“I always said if they offered this I’d be the first one on it and I was,” said White, who works with the Department of Mental Health. “It’s been a blessing.”

At 8:10 a.m., five minutes before schedule, Jackson pulls up in front of the Mapco on 21^st Avenue. This morning’s second run has come to an end. As I disembark, I tell Jackson the only thing missing is a coffee machine onboard.

“I’ve had that request several times,” he says, “especially for Starbucks.”