When Steve Dobbins has to go somewhere he has to wait on the bus.

"Just sit here talking on the phone," said Dobbins.

The north Nashville resident can't afford a car so he depends on the Charlotte Avenue bus to take him to see his doctor.

Some say that trip should be easier.

Monday, several north Nashville leaders and activists made their case to Metro Transit Authority that their part of town should play a bigger role in Bus Rapid Transit.

The MTA hopes to build a system with two dedicated bus lanes in the center of the street.

That system would move passengers faster along the corridor that's planned from Main Street in east Nashville, down Broadway and through West End to White Bridge Road.

"We're not benefitting from it.  Distressed population is not benefitting from it and we're sick of it," said north Nashville activist Tonya Sherrell.

Sherrell is among those who want the route changed to run down Charlotte Avenue instead of West End.

She believes it would give better access to passengers like Dobbins.

Still the MTA isn't a fan of the change.

Jim McAteer says West End is by far the best option because it's the closest to the most jobs.

"It's our largest industry which is hospitals and tourism," said McAteer.

McAteer says the hope is the system will be a big enough success it can someday expand into other areas like north Nashville.

"Once we establish this corridor, this new world class service then we can think about where does it make sense next," said McAteer.

That would mean more waiting though for a part of town Sherrell says doesn't have a good track record.

"Historically down the line it never happens for us because when it comes to us there's always a shortage.  There's always a deficit.  There's always something that never happens down the line," said Sherrell.




Bus Rapid Transit Faces North Nashville Criticism -- Sky Arnold