House Approves Funding For MTSU Transportation Hub
November 15, 2007, MURFREESBORO – On Wednesday (Nov. 14), the U.S. House of Representatives approved a measure that includes $200,000 in federal funding for a transportation hub to make public transportation more accessible to residents and students at Middle Tennessee State University, announced U.S. Rep. Bart Gordon.
“Public transportation becomes more attractive as gas prices rise, but it has to be convenient for users,” said Gordon. “A hub at MTSU will link existing bus systems and be available as a transfer point to future transportation systems that could come along.”
The funding is included in a compromise of House and Senate versions of an annual funding bill for the U.S. Department of Transportation. The Senate is expected to approve the conference report, and it will then go to the president for his signature.
According to Joe Bales, MTSU’s vice president for development and university relations, the funding will be used for initial planning.
“The establishment of a new transportation hub, coupled with the upcoming enhancements to Middle Tennessee Boulevard, will provide a valuable link to Murfreesboro's transportation system,” said Bales. “The hub will provide not only a valuable connection for our students to both the city's infrastructure and our own campus system, but will serve as an important element in the city's overall plan to integrate and utilize a variety of intermodal strategies to meet the needs of our growing community.”
The hub could incorporate existing systems, such as the Raider Xpress campus bus service, Rover, and Relax & Ride. The facility would be located on MTSU’s perimeter and serve as a transfer point for riders. It would feature a park and ride facility to serve MTSU and the city of Murfreesboro, and it would include restrooms, covered shelters and other amenities.
“Residents could take advantage of this hub during ball games and the 4th of July celebration on campus, and students could use it as a transfer point to get from their dorm rooms to other areas of Murfreesboro or even to downtown Nashville,” said Gordon.
