The public transportation system in Nashville consists of city bus and commuter rail systems, both of which are wheelchair accessible. For the majority of tourists, use of the commuter rail will not be necessary. There is also a hop-on/hop-off tourist trolley, which is partially wheelchair accessible. Each of these transportation services are described below.
Nashville City Bus
100% of city buses in Nashville are wheelchair accessible with a wheelchair ramp that folds out from the front door of the bus, or from a wheelchair lift.
City buses service is provided by the Nashville Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA). The Nashville MTA operates 54 bus routes throughout the city, served by a fleet of approximately 235 buses.
Each bus has a wheelchair ramp or lift and a wheelchair securement space with tie-downs.
For a list of bus routes, maps and schedules, visit NashvilleMTA.org. One of the major frustrations with public transit in Nashville is with the frequency of schedules (many routes provide service only once per hour) and with the early conclusion of service. City buses do not operate past 11 p.m., making it difficult for people requiring accessible transportation to get around after that time, even as so much of the city’s bars, restaurants, comedy clubs and music venues remain open until 2 a.m.
City Bus Fares & Passes
Fares are available for purchase on the bus with cash. The fare box accepts $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 bills as well as U.S. coins, including $1 coins. If you insert more than the price of the fare, the fare box will issue a change card with your balance, which can be used toward the purchase of a future fare.
Adult fares are as follows: $2.00 for a single ride, $4.00 for an all-day pass, and $20.00 for a 7-day pass. A 50% discount is provided to youth (19 and younger), seniors (ages 65+) and people with disabilities. Children age 4 and younger ride for free.
Music City Star Commuter Rail
The Music City Star is a commuter rail service which runs between downtown Nashville and Lebanon, Tennessee, a distance of about 32 miles by railway.
Each of the line’s 7 stations are wheelchair accessible with a ramped boarding platform. A bridge plate is laid between the rail car and boarding platform to provide level entry.
For more information on the Music City Star, visit RTARelaxAndRide.com.
Nashville Tourist Trolley
Gray Line Tennessee offers a wheelchair accessible hop-on, hop-off trolley tour in Nashville.
The trolley buses are wheelchair accessible via a wheelchair lift at the rear of the vehicle. The tour stops at the following 16 stops:
- Glen Campbell Museum & Rhinestone Stage
- Ryman Auditorium
- Johnny Cash Museum/Patsy Cline Museum/Goo Goo Candy Shop
- Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
- Tennessee State Museum/Tennessee State Capitol
- Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum / Grammy Museum Gallery
- Farmer’s Market/Bicentennial Mall
- Marathon Village & Antique Archaeology
- Nelson’s Green Brier Distillery
- Parthenon & Centennial Park
- Vanderbilt University
- Hattie B’s Hot Chicken
- Music Row/Edgehill Village
- The Gulch
- Frist Center for the Visual Arts & Union Station Hotel
- Riverfront Train Station
The cost of a one-day pass is $34 for adults and $15 for children ages 4-11. A second day can be added at the time of purchase for an extra $5.00. There is no charge for children under 4.
For more information on the trolley tour, visit GrayLineTN.com.
